The Basic Symbols of the American Political Tradition

V. The Declaration of Independence: A Derailment?

CHAPTER v The Declaration of Independence: A Derailment? We now take up the most difficult and undoubtedly the most controversial of our tasks: the symbolism and so the meaning of the Declaration of Independence in the context of the American tradition.1 Before we discuss its place in the tradition , a few preliminary comments are in order. One obvious matter-so obvious, in fact, it hardly seems to merit our attention or emphasis-is that the Declaration of Independence should be read for what it purports to be. We begin at this point because the official literature tends to overlook the obvious : The document's primary purpose is to announce publicly the severing of those "bands" that had, until July 4, 1776, tied us morally and legally to Great Britain. That is the purpose of the document and that, we submit, should be foremost in the minds of those who read and interpret it. The Declaration begins with these words: "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of A merica." The words are in themselves important because we see at once that, contrary to what we may have been taught in our institutions of higher learning, there is no pretense as of this moment that we are, legally speaking or otherwise, one people or nation. Why, indeed, would this phraseology be used if the participants felt the colonies should be regarded as one? The thirteen 1 We use as our test the Declaration as reproduced in Poore, I, l~. 75 76 THE BASIC SYMBOLS states are "united" for the purpose of declaring their independence , and so far as we can see no other purpose is even so much as mentioned in the remainder of the document. The word "unanimous" in this connection is also revealing. It clearly suggests that the Declaration could have been something other than unanimous; but, beyond any question, the document takes on added force simply because of this unanimity. Immediately following this very brief opening statement, we find the following, which more clearly tells us what the "unanimous Declaration" is about. The well-known words (though hardly as well known as those of the paragraph immediately following) are these: "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation." This passage taken in isolation could be interpreted to mean that we already regard ourselves as one people or nation; or, short of this, by this Declaration we are announcing to the world our "oneness." But this phraseology, let us remember, is to be read in light of the preceding sentence which clearly permits the form of expression used without any ambiguity. If there be any doubts on this point, the last paragraph ought to dispel them. We will quote it and then point out what we think to be two of its more significant points. We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America , in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are OF THE AMERICAN POLITICAL TRADITION 77 Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.2 First: We cannot help but note the invocation of the supreme symbols of our tradition. The signers appeal to the "Supreme Judge ... for the rectitude of" their "intentions" and make it quite clear that they do so "in the...