Samuel Eliot Morison Quote

"If the American Revolution had produced nothing but the Declaration of Independence, it would have been worthwhile.... The beauty and cogency of the preamble, reaching back to remotest antiquity and forward to an infinite future, having lifted the hearts of millions of men and will continue to do.... These words are more revolutionary than anything written by Robespierre, Marx, or Lenin, more explosive than the atom, a continual challenge to ourselves as well as an inspiration to the oppressed of all the world."

by:	Samuel Eliot Morison (1887-1976) Rear Admiral USNR, Naval historian
Date:	1965
Rating:
Categories:	America, Hope, Independence, Liberty, Revolution
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-- Mike, Norwalk
-- Charles, Ludlow
It was only a preamble and has no legal authority... That being said, it's very good....  -- Robert, Somewhere in Europe      6
Absolutely agree, just afraid too many take it for granted these days.  -- J. Allen, Arlington, Va      3
True. But, sad to say that the majority of Americans have forgotten the Declaration and our Constitution. Semper Fi.  -- Bruski, Naples FL      2
The margin of risk is narrowed , through the eyes of experience. Some, be so called with Full Persuasion ! The OATH to GOD, The Power of Faith, 100 % required ! Then to cease from strife brings Divine Intervention ! " More explosive than the atom " If the Stars can be numbered, he who named and numbered the stars, would be the rating !! Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath Created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth " . " But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint ". ( Isaiah 40:26,31 ) Semper Fi , Live Free or Die Well.  -- Ronw13, Yachats Or      2
Robert, you are wrong! The Declaration of Independence is part of America's organic law so it most certainly has legal authority. Those atheistic leaning progressives seeking to destroy America's founding principles try so hard to separate the Declaration of Independence because without it their argument that rights come from man and not God becomes much easier to sell and lead us to the same failed systems that other nations have succumb to. Unfortunately these people are aided by ignorant people who parrot and perpetuate this misinformation.  -- Mike, Pleasant Hill      4
Robert, perhaps you are thinking of the preamble of the US Constitution. The Declaration of Independence was the official end of the old monarchical order and the liberation of the subjects of the Crown. This declaration was considered illegal and treasonous by the Crown -- war followed. The colonists fought for and won their freedom. The Declaration changed everything -- it was not a preamble!! It was/is the Declaration of Americans -- we are born free, never subject to the arbitrary dictates of king and priest. The Constitution is a charter for the forming of a federal government -- the Declaration is a declaration of the American people to the world. I always felt that a condition of American adulthood ought to include signing a copy of the Declaration of Independence just so that each American can make these words real for themselves and agree wholeheartedly with their intent. It is not just a Declaration of Independence, it is a Declaration of Responsibility. ;-)  -- E Archer, NYC      5
Well said. It reminds me; I've not read the document for many a year, a good item to put on today's list of "THINGS TO DO."  -- Bob, Burlington, VT      1
-- jim k, Austin
E Archer, NYC very well stated. I got to proudly read the Declaration of Independence years ago before an assembly of like minded, patriotic individuals. The overwhelming courage it must have taken to produce such a profound and stupendous declaration in that time and era.  -- Mary - MI      1
The American revolution was a success for one reason only, the formerly oppressed were able to elevate themselves into privileged position and subdue a new class of underlings in the form of the native population of the continent. These days they fail to inspire anyone beside a small group of hangers-on.  -- Holger, Cape Town      5
Voting down is the cowards response, explain yourself.  -- Holger, Cape Town      1
Foolish and unlearned questions, avoid, they engender strife ! Some of us mingled very well with the First nations and are a part of it in unity ! Mind, body and soul ! People of the soil we are ! Regardless of where you are on the planet. Nought nobler is, than to be Free: The Stars of Heaven are Free because in amplitude of Liberty, Their joy is to obey the Laws. ( Natural Laws ) While Nature careless-handed gives The things that are more Excellent ! Very well said Archer and Mary ! The votes of veering crowds, are not, The things more Excellent ! Another five Stars for things that are !  -- Ronw13, Yachats Or      1
-- Roger, Loveland
The Declaration of Independence and Constitution are the most Noble works of Man, of their kinds, in history, subordinate only to the Bible in their sublimity. The Nobility of the animating Spirit of the Founders and the elegance of their prose resounds through the generations.  -- Patrick Henry, Red Hill      4
Holgar, You are describing the results of the Civil War, not the American Revolution.  And as a result, the same grievances that sparked American independence are held now against a rogue and illegitimate government that has used every trick in the lawyers' book to reinvent the meanings of words to suit their power grabs.   -- E Archer, NYC      2
Someone asked Ben Franklin what was the best form of government, he answered; "A Republic if you can keep it." Sadly "We the people" have been so busy pursuing the American dream, the big house in the suburbs, the fancy car, sports games and whatever else catches our fancy that we've completely ignored the most important sentence in our once revered documents; "OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people." With the the precious few exceptions willing to hold politicians accountable, to watchdog them, to stop them from growing fat and complacent on our hard earned money as we go about our day ignoring them as they sell America out to the highest bidder. Pass petty "laws" dangerous to our liberty and freedoms, raise taxes as they sell out our manufacturing to nations who hate our liberties and freedoms. Trash the strength and morals that hold a nation together, destroy the truths of our Founders, step more and more on our freedom of speech, interfere in the very ways we raise our families. And now in almost a blood lust, destroy our justice system and threaten the American people with destroying the very Amendment that George Washington called "The Liberty's Teeth" as the present fraud in our White House opines: "You don't need a gun, I'll send the United States Army against you"....Our Founders would recoil in shame at the lack of vigil We the People have kept.  -- Denise, Durango      1
Hear, hear!  -- E Archer, NYC
Indeed!  -- E Archer, NYC
The Declaration of Independence is indeed America's founding pillar, still standing the test of time and is the touchstone of Liberty itself!  May more countries follow in this example.  The people of every country need to make this declaration for themselves, and America can truly support them in their defense against the globalist ruling class.  Let's make this declaration real for ourselves today and for generations to come!  -- E Archer, NYC

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