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“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” This short yet profound phrase is attributed to Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of our republic. His contemporaries, particularly the men with whom he worked to establish the United States of America, understood the meaning of this phrase as few men do. Many of them shed their blood in defense of freedom. Our founding fathers struggled against the colonialsim and political and economic oppression of George III of England. Like other European monarchs of that era, George III saw the American colonies primarily as a source of wealth—for England. Colonies were viewed simply as extensions of the mother country, and were to be exploited to make sure that France or Spain did not acquire more wealth or power than England. England’s subsequent behavior toward the colonies often made the colonists feel that they were being abused, and fueled their growing desire for independence. The freedom of any people or nation has always been gained by fierce, tenacious, and sometimes bloody struggle against the forces of tyranny and slavery. Freedom, once gained, can only be maintained by a watchful and energetic people, a people ready to act decisively against any encroachment. Sadly, too many of us have forgotten the truth of Jefferson’s statement and the price the founders paid that their descendents might be free. There are some, I think, who imagine the United States of America to be free today because our forefathers supposedly settled the question once and for all in 1776. Even a little reflection on our national history, however, will reveal that we have not infrequently had to defend our freedom from aggressive foreign nations. Most of us understand the necessity of vigilance on that front, perhaps because it is so obvious, and because it so immediately threatens our well-being. It would have been difficult to deny the threats posed by Hitler or the Soviet Union. At the same time, let us not forget that threats to our freedom and our individual liberties do not always come from foreign nations. More often, they come from over-zealous and wrongly-motivated politicians and government officials. Why is that? Aren’t they Americans too? Don’t they understand what kind of nation we are supposed to be? I am afraid that, too often, our government has forgotten what kind of nation we are supposed to be. It is just as bad that too many of us have forgotten as well. We raise no fuss when our precious individual liberties are sundered bit by bit through bad legislation and judicial activism. Do not imagine that we are free, or that we will remain free, simply because we are the United States of America. Freedom is maintained by eternal vigilance, not just the former vigilance of our founders or WWII veterans. Most of us believe that we cannot let down our guard against foreign aggressor nations. We must also believe in sustained and effective action against the tyranny of our own brethren who would rob us of our God-given freedoms through legislation and court decisions. As we seek to perform our patriotic duty, however, it must not be merely to exalt the rights of man, but to honor the Author of all true liberty—the God of the Bible. Thomas Jefferson also said, “The God who gave us life, gave us liberty.” Sincerely, Mark L. Beuligmann, M.S. Ed. Administrative Director Christian Liberty Academy School System |
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