Our celebration of the 4th of July is a celebration of humanity’s greatest principles being incorporated as the foundation of a new nation. These principles, which have been recognized since at least ancient Greece, represent a leap in human evolution, a product of thousands of years of thoughtful analysis exploring a righteous approach to humanity. Although these principles have existed a long time, America is the rare example of a country that was able to seize an opportunity to put these principles into practice. It is no coincidence that we went from horse and buggy technology to landing on the moon in a little over 200 years. We fought to end slavery, we saved the world from the Nazi’s, and continue to fight against the scourge of communism. America has stood as a beacon of hope and freedom to everyone around the world because we uphold these principles.

In watching our country under vicious attack from the Democratic Party, you have to wonder where they are trying to drag us. They talk about being progressive, but what does that mean? Calvin Coolidge, during a speech he delivered on the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, lends brilliant insight into the same issue almost 100 years ago:

“About the Declaration there is a finality that is exceedingly restful. It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern. But that reasoning can not be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction can not lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient, than those of the Revolutionary fathers.”

There is tremendous irony in watching Democrats celebrate our Nation’s birthday. They wallow in all the trappings afforded to them by the sacrifices of our forefathers all while proclaiming their hate for our country. It is interesting to note that during the revolution, only about 1/3 of the colonists wanted independence, 1/3 were fine with British rule, and 1/3 didn’t care. Our battles with ignorance are nothing new, and while we may be losing the country, it hasn’t been lost. So what can we do?

Our best course of action is to coalesce around our local Republican Parties with the mission to uphold our American principles. Those principles are the most powerful uniting force around our entire movement. We will not always agree with each other, and we may sometimes dislike each other, but we all understand our moral duty to serve a higher purpose for the benefit of future generations. The sacrifices we face are insignificant to the sacrifices made by the men that signed the Declaration of Independence. We are on the right side of history.

Nevin Carr III

Chair, New Hanover Co GOP