Most Americans celebrate the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, but very few celebrate the signing of the Constitution of the United States. Why is that? Sure, we celebrate Independence Day with cookouts and fireworks, but is there anything preventing us from celebrating Constitution Day the same way? Could it be that this union of states, like an old married couple, has become complacent and bored? Come with me while I examine this phenomenon in preparation for my own celebration of Constitution Day.
Americans love Independence Day. There are sales for weeks leading up to it, then you’ve got the cookouts with friends and family and, of course, the fireworks. This would be no surprise to John Adams.
[Independence Day] will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. John Adams, The Letters of John and Abigail Adams
However, Mr. Adams was not unaware that the moment of jubilation he was experiencing would have a tremendous cost.
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.
John Adams, The Letters of John and Abigail Adams
Perhaps Adams’ warning of the work that would need to be done to maintain what they had done that day can explain the situation those original 13 states, and the 37 that have joined the union since, are experiencing.
The “Marriage” of the States
I guess this is why America reminds me of an old married couple. Just as they celebrated their engagement, with all its excitement and possibilities, we celebrate our Declaration of Independence. We revel in the freedom and celebrate a future where we become a great nation. We rejoice in the liberty the Declaration brought to us, as the memory of the pain and sacrifice faded over time. And just like that old married couple, the habits of day to day life extinguishes the joy as we settle into our routines. Over time, we stop looking for opportunities to rekindle the flame, and simply go about our lives without giving our memories a second thought. Such has become the celebration of the signing of the Constitution. Just as marriage allows the couple to be secure in their routine, the Constitution was created to allow us to live free. To see that, all we need to do is look at its Preamble.
Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
U.S. Constitution, Preamble
These words were once memorized by all school children; today they seem all but ignored. Yet in these 52 words we see the hope of the Framers and the foundation of our freedom. Just look at what these words say.
We the People of the United States, …
U.S. Constitution, Preamble
It seems the American people have become so used to freedom that we believe it’s the natural way of things. A look at the world around us shows that it’s not. “We the People” is not simply a catchy phrase, but a call to action. It was not kings or politicians that brought the Constitution to life, but We the People. We are the ones who have fought for it and we are the ones who must preserve it. The Constitution is not a tool for the politician, the lawyer, or the judge, but for We the People. We the People, through the Constitution, created what we now call the federal government. And it’s through the use of that same Constitution we keep our creation in check. Our complacency has led us to wait for other people to do the work, not unlike the lazy husband who waits for his wife to pick up his dirty cloths. But when everyone waits for someone to do something, no one does anything. Which seems to describe the current view of most of We the People.
… in Order to form a more perfect Union, …
U.S. Constitution, Preamble
After declaring independence, the states joined together under the Articles of Confederation. While the states agreed to live together, their bond was rather weak.
The said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other
Articles of Confederation, Article III
The states did not join a union, but a league of friendship, not unlike our couple during their engagement. Sure, they may live together, but they have a way out. Their union may exist, but it is not very strong yet. That is part of the reason the Articles of Confederation failed, and why we needed a better, a more perfect union. And just like a newly married couple, this union had several things it wanted to do.
… establish Justice, …
U.S. Constitution, Preamble
As a young couple starts their marriage, they will often search for ways to justly divide the responsibilities. Who does the shopping, the cooking, and the laundry? Who will pay the bills, take care of home maintenance, and change the diapers of future children? Similarly, the states and their citizens sought ways to establish justice in their new union. Who would handle domestic policy and who foreign? Who would control the money and the militia? How would critical decisions be made?
… insure domestic Tranquility, …
U.S. Constitution, Preamble
No one wants to live with a contentious spouse. The constant arguing, fault finding, and general vindictiveness makes life miserable. In the same way, our states wanted to live peacefully with their neighbors. How were they to do that? The Constitution was designed to set the boundaries to help prevent arguments between the states as well as provide a mechanism to resolve their disputes.
… provide for the common defence, …
U.S. Constitution, Preamble
There are few things that can bring a group together like a common enemy. When I was a child, I used to fight with my younger sister all the time, but if someone threatened her, they better watch out for me. Similarly, although spouses may argue, when a burglar comes to the door, both stand together. As individual states, they stood little chance in a conflict with some of the great powers of their day, but together not only could they stand, but they did.
… promote the general Welfare, …
U.S. Constitution, Preamble
Studies show that married parents that live together give their children the best chance of success. Similarly, the best chance for citizens to prosper was for the states to find ways to work together for their general benefit. Just as married couples tend to be more prosperous than those that live together, the Constitution helps the states work for their general welfare, allowing their citizens to live free. Like many couples, the view of these new states was not simply their own welfare.
… and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, …
U.S. Constitution, Preamble
What couple does not want their union to be blessed? Blessed by children, success, even longevity. The Framers of the Constitution wanted their union blessed as well. Liberty is one of those ideas that most people seek, but rarely understand what it is.
Civil liberty is the liberty of men in a state of society, or natural liberty so far only abridged and restrained, as is necessary and expedient for the safety and interest of the society, state or nation.
Liberty – Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
To summarize Noah Webster’s definition of liberty, it is the ability to live your life as you see fit, without unnecessary external influence. The liberty the Constitution helped secure has made the United States of America the most prosperous, inventive, and generous nation the world has ever seen.
… do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
U.S. Constitution, Preamble
Which brings us back to those three words highlighted in the Preamble, “We the People”. We ordained and established the Constitution, through our states. We did so with these lofty goals in mind. We created the federal government to help protect our rights so we could meet these goals. And we are the ones who carry the responsibility, to make sure our creation is fulfilling those goals.
Conclusion
With all of these lofty goals in mind, I return to my original question: Why don’t the American people celebrate the signing of this grand document? Could it be that we have become so familiar with the blessings it has brought us that we hold the Constitution in contempt? Could it be that like a contentious old married couple, We the People and our states are more interested in arguing than succeeding? Have we become so comfortable with our union that we cannot be bothered celebrating it? Perhaps the reason this union is so close to divorce is because We the People no longer celebrate it.
This article has reminded me of two very important things. First, the need to celebrate the anniversary of my wedding to my wonderful wife. Second, the need to celebrate the union of states that has brought so many blessings to us all. Try to imagine a world without the United States? Without the inventions created by our citizens, the economy that has brought so many out of poverty, or the young men and women who have died defending the freedom of others. Some look at the state of this union and think the only way forward is either to dissolve it or fundamentally change it. While it’s far from perfect, when I see the good this union has brought to the world, I believe we need to celebrate it, to remind ourselves of why we have this Constitution. As we celebrate the 235th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America, let us renew our vows to strive for the blessings it was created to secure.
