Independence and Presidencies
As you can imagine, Independence Day is kind of a big deal for presidents.
Thomas Jefferson was the first president to host a celebration to mark the occasion at what we now call the White House during his first year in office. In an article from the White House Historical Association about the event, they describe the festive occasion with the Marine Band playing inside and parades and horse races taking place out on the lawn. Especially considering Jefferson’s role in crafting the Declaration of Independence (as his gravestone attests, he considered it even more than being president to be one of his life’s greatest achievements), one has to imagine that it was a particularly poignant celebration for him.
For President Lincoln sixty years later, it was no time for celebration. On July 4th, 1861, he sent a message to Congress explaining why he had unilaterally called up the militia and suspended habeas corpus.
He wrote as follows:
“It was with the deepest regret that the Executive found the duty of employing the war power in defense of the Government forced upon him. He could but perform this duty or surrender the existence of the Government. No compromise by public servants could in this case be a cure; not that compromises are not often proper, but that no popular government can long survive a marked precedent that those who carry an election can only save the government from immediate destruction by giving up the main point upon which the people gave the election. The people themselves, and not their servants, can safely reverse their own deliberate decisions.”
With his leadership and the sacrifice of many, the Union was preserved so that Independence Day could be celebrated by future generations.
Among all of the presidents to date, the Fourth of July had a unique importance for 30th President, Calvin Coolidge, as he was born on that date in 1872. Indeed, it would be on his birthday in 1926 that the nation celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Instead of having a private birthday party, Coolidge traveled to Philadelphia where he delivered a speech which began as follows:
“Fellow Countrymen:
We meet to celebrate the birthday of America. The coming of a new life always excites our interest. Although we know in the case of the individual that it has been an infinite repetition reaching back beyond our vision, that only makes it more wonderful. But how our interest and wonder increase when we behold the miracle of the birth of a new nation. It is to pay our tribute of reverence and respect to those who participated in such a mighty event that we annually observe the 4th day of July. Whatever may have been the impression created by the news which went out from this city on that summer day in 1776, there can be no doubt as to the estimate which is now placed upon it. At the end of 150 years the four corners of the earth unite in coming to Philadelphia as to a holy shrine in grateful acknowledgment of a service so great, which a few inspired men here rendered to humanity, that it is still the preeminent support of free government throughout the world.”
While Americans tend to think of fireworks and hot dogs and parades and the outdoors when it comes to the Fourth of July, it all started and is still rooted in a document that states that:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”
I encourage my fellow Americans to take a little time this Independence Day to read this founding document and to reflect on the fact that the individuals who signed it agreed at the end that “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
A nation, just like any community, is at the end of the day an agreement amongst a group to join together for a common cause, to live and work together towards common goals. We may not all agree and we may not even like one another at times. However, it is still a pledge to one another that we make not just once a year on July 4th but every single day that we remain joined as community.
Living into these principles of liberty and justice isn’t just a one and done thing. As those who made that initial pledge in 1776 knew, it was a work in progress that would go on beyond their lifetimes, just as it will beyond ours. What we do now builds on what has come before and will set the stage for generations ahead. As we celebrate the achievement of independence, let us also take time to determine what we will do with it in order to build a better community for all.
Happy 248th, America, and here’s hoping that everyone has a safe and happy Fourth!
Latest Episodes
As I was late getting last month’s newsletter out, there’s only one new episode that has launched since the last newsletter. However, if you haven’t checked it out yet, I hope you’ll give it a listen as it addresses a thread that has been weaving through the first four presidency narrative series: foreign meddling in American politics in the Early Republic. From Genet to Adet, from Hammond to Yrujo, Tyson’s new book has it all. Check out the episode to learn more!
Interview Series: Tyson Reeder, Serpent in Eden
Love of Reading
So I have to admit that I actually read this one back in March, but as it was for an interview and we hadn’t hit the publication date at that point, I didn’t mention it then. Now that the interview episode and the book are out there, though, I wanted to backtrack and share my thoughts of it.
Serpent in Eden: Foreign Meddling and Partisan Politics in James Madison’s America by Tyson Reeder
I’m glad that this book came out prior to my finishing up the Madison presidency series since, as stated earlier, it ties in so much of what we’ve covered in the first four narrative series to date but makes this thread, this theme, the focus of the work. Further, framing it around Madison and the various roles that he played in the Early Republic helps the reader to better understand this often downplayed political leader. Tyson and I covered a lot of ground in our conversation, but I highly recommend that you check out his book as there is much more that we were not able to get to but of which he provides great insight.
July Birthdays
We have a few birthdays to mark this month - two Cabinet members who, for better or worse, played a role in both the Washington and Adams presidencies as well as our latest person covered in the Vice Presidencies special series!
July 17: Timothy Pickering (1745)
July 25: Henry Knox (1750)
July 26: George Clinton (1739)
And finally…
It’s hard to believe that we are over halfway through the year and that this is the seventh newsletter I’ve released! For all of you who have been subscribed since day one as well as those who just signed up, I thank you so much for being here and for your interest in this podcast. There are some great episodes coming up (including one this Sunday), so stay tuned!
If you’d like to support the podcast, there are numerous ways to do so including through Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee. To all who have shown their support thus far over the years, I cannot thank you enough!
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Please feel free to reach out to me via email at presidenciespodcast@gmail.com or connecting on the various social media outlets Presidencies can be found on.
Until next time, stay safe and healthy, be kind to one another, and take care, dear friends!