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| Writing the Declaration of Independence, 1776 Jean Leon Gerome Ferris |
Excerpt from a letter to Abigail
by John Adams
The second day of July, 1776,
will be the most memorable epocha in
the history of America.
I am apt to believe 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
shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations,
from one
end of this continent to the other,
from this time forward forevermore.
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 triumph in that day’s transaction,
even although we
should rue it,
which I trust in God we shall not…
It may be
the will of Heaven
that America will suffer calamities still more
wasting,
and distress yet more dreadful.
If this is to be the case, it
will have this good effect at least.
It will inspire us with many
virtues which we have not,
and correct many errors, follies and vices
which threaten to disturb, dishonor and destroy us.
The furnace of
affliction produces refinement,
in States as well as individuals...
But I
must submit all my hopes and fears to an overruling Providence,
in
which, unfashionable as the faith may be, I firmly believe.
