We lost internet access for several days so I am late with this post.
John Adams is my favorite Founding Father. In my view, he was the greatest of this incredible group of great men. The revolution would never have taken place without him, and probably could not have occurred without the support of his wife Abigail, also a remarkable person. (David McCullough’s biography of John Adams should be required reading).
The following letter that John Adams sent to Abigail on July 3, 7776 demonstrated how well he understood the implications of the vote for independence. Note that about the only thing he got wrong was the date. The resolution for independence was actually approved on July 2.
You have probably read this before but it is worth repeating. For this post, at least, we will celebrate the past without considering today’s issues. Original spellings unchanged.
The Second Day of July 1776, 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. 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. (The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, Harvard University Press, 1975, 142).