By Gerry R. Coleman
The USA was born from the seed of revelation, the logic of reason and the creation of our founding documents the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. But today the American citizens appear confused, complacent, and without the courage to lead. As Americans it is our duty to defend what was so long in finding -- liberty and the rights of self-government.
Our practice of self-government was founded by our forefathers over 200 years ago. These men studied the ancient principles of law found in scripture. Our founding fathers also searched deeply into the history and philosophy of English and European government. There our founding fathers found tested concepts, values, motives and law. They knew that war between Kings, nations and religions had been constant throughout all the history of western civilization. It was time to stop warring and to begin building a civilization based on the rule of law and the spirit of liberty. It was reasoned that righteous law must replace the power of kings and men of war. Such forms of government and tyranny must be replaced by the rule of law not of men.
Our founding fathers learned that reason reconciled with revelation can lead men to create a new union of men, with justice, peace and liberty. They learned that they must courageously practice God’s law to create a free nation.
In the original thirteen colonies men were dedicated to freedom for man and mind. Thus they created the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. They founded a new system of law to protect individual rights. Then an open process of politics and governance evolved over years of trial an error. The US Constitution enabled them to attain a higher sense of self-government as evidenced by the growth and prosperity of a new nation. The new republic created leaders and enabled citizens to improve and succeed. Since then Americans have clearly demonstrated a desire for success -- in economics, education, health, and most importantly freedom.
Today the USA suffers a loss of confidence in our success. We Americans have begun to question our national motives. We have faulted our elected leaders’ decisions. In so doing we fault ourselves. We question our ability to find constitutional leaders. We are at a crossroads. What shall we do? What road should we follow? Consider Robert Frost’s dilemma.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
(from the The Road Not Taken)
Shall we follow the more traveled road leading to larger government? Or the less traveled path to greater freedom with responsibility? Let us then ask ourselves: Why was this nation created? What new road did the founders follow? Can we govern by constitutional principles again? Can American courage and grit restore our nation?
The European Renaissance was a reawakening. It led to a new birth of understanding, a unification of cultures and kingdoms. Can we Americans return to our foundations and build again? Where do we start? How do we start?
We Americans can again follow the road of God and His gift of natural rights. We will return to the principles of self-government and liberty. Today we are not alone in this quest. Men and women across the world battle for freedom and self-government. They “seek to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.” (1) We Americans will show all mankind the path to freedom and responsibility if we restore our founding principles. We are the leaders of free men in The Renaissance of American Liberty.
(1) Noah Webster, The American Dictionary, 1828, Preface.
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Gerry R. Coleman is active in many Raleigh NC community citizenship activities: Host for 8 years for the Institute on the Constitution’s US Constitution course; Chairman for the American Legion’s Raleigh Post 1 National High School Oratorical Competition, and Boys’ State; Precinct Chair Republican Party; member of the Executive Board Wake County Tax Payers Assoc. plus his church activities.
Gerry graduated from Syracuse University, was active for 3 years in the US Army during the Vietnam War, married and lived and worked in New York City before moving to Raleigh in 1992 to practice commercial real estate appraisal.