INDEPENDENCE IS DEPENDENT UPON MANY VIRTUOUS MATTERS!!!

A nation is comprised of people who share a commonness, be that premised on culture, tradition, politics, religion, or more. It is made up by comm'unity', which ought to have everyone's best interests at heart, and work as one to uphold the whole---

When a nation divides within itself, unrest, and worse follows, and ultimately endangers everyone, and everything which commonly held it together, AND in doing so, the HOPE for improvement, or regaining oneness becomes distorted, as the wedge sinks deeper into the division(s)! Such leads to a weakened state, which is experienced internally, and arouses externals to challenge, or overtake, as weakness IS like a magnet, and DOES invite more, and worse troubles, issues, and problems...

There IS a way to eliminate division within a nation, but ALL people HAVE to agree on it's importance, and must be willing to return to a point which allows dialogue, and sacrifices to be made FOR the GOOD of the continuance of their homeland...

The founding Men of The United States of America were wise, and ethical beings, who HAD experienced unrest, division, incivility, and other matters which HAVE the potential to endanger a country, and it's citizens, and so, DID draft, and enact laws, ordinances, and other criteria into The Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and other such THAT though differences exist, they are ENABLED to be worked through, and resolved FOR the GOOD of ALL...

These days, on this celebration of Independence, we would serve ourselves and others better to consider just how wise these Men were, and to take a look at some of the character which was written into that which presides over us as a nation; such as Thomas Jefferson, in HOPES that we might take a breather, think things through, and get BACK TO BEING the nation we LOVE!!!!

In 1808, when he wrote his grandson the letter we excerpt from, Thomas Jefferson had written the statute of Virginia for religious freedom and the Declaration of Independence. He was finishing his second term as President of the United States. But the political philosopher who felt rebellion was still necessary for healthy government saw another field for reform: manners. I have mentioned good humor as one of the preservatives of our peace and tranquillity. It is among the most effectual, and its effect is so well imitated and aided, artificially, by politeness, that this also becomes an acquisition of first rate value. In truth, politeness is artificial good humor, it covers the natural want of it, and ends by rendering habitual a substitute nearly equivalent to the real virtue. It is the practice of sacrificing to those whom we meet in society, all the little conveniences and preferences which will gratify them, and deprive us of nothing worth a moment's consideration; it is the giving a pleasing and flattering turn to our expressions, which will conciliate others, and make them pleased with us as well as ourselves. How cheap a price for the good will of another! When this is in return for a rude thing said by another, it brings him to his senses, it mortifies and corrects him the most salutary way, and places him at the feet of your good nature, in the eyes of the company.

But in stating prudential rules for our government in society, I must not omit the important one of never entering into dispute or argument with another. I never saw an instance of one of two disputants convincing the other by argument. I have seen many, on their getting warm, becoming rude, and shooting one another. Conviction is the effect of our own dispassionate reasoning, either in solitude, or weighing within ourselves, dispassionately, what we hear from others, standing uncommitted in argument ourselves. It was one of the rules which, above all others, made Doctor Franklin the most amiable of men in society, ``never to contradict anybody.'' If he was urged to announce an opinion, he did it rather by asking questions, as if for information, or by suggesting doubts.

When I hear another express an opinion which is not mine, I say to myself, he has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it? His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixote, to bring all men by force of argument to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification. If he wants information, he will ask it, and then I will give it in measured terms; but if he still believes his own story, and shows a desire to dispute the fact with me, I hear him and say nothing. It is his affair, not mine, if he prefers error.

NOT so long ago, we were taught how to co-exist along these standards, and our compassion saw us ALLOWING others to BE individuals, whether we agreed with them or not, which ALSO, left room for dialogue in the most polite, considerate way!!!

As a nation, at this moment, we are facing off, we are incited, we are ignited, all because we are divided, NOT because of manners, courtesy's, politeness, or any virtue, instead quite the opposite, from which, productivity is diminished, advancements stand to be hindered, and little will brought to the table the harvest of Brotherhood! IS this REALLY what we want? Are we TRULY going to succumb to incivility, and to all negatively generated distractions that WILL rock this land from shore to shore, costing in more ways than financially???

THE LORD *GOD* bids us NOT to use our freedom wrongly, and I know HE is speaking of HIS GIFT of GRACE, and MERCY, but I tell you what, if we fall into the trips, and traps of the world, in misuse of Democratic freedom, by participating in disregard, and disrespect for our fellowman, it is in the same gist!!!

LOVE does NOT find us engaging in what works against LOVE, *GOD*, others! It is NOT always simple, it is not always easy, and yet, IT IS THE LAW which is everlasting, ever benevolent, ever productive, thus, it IS at this point that we OUGHT to take heed, take stock, and take control of ourselves BEFORE it is too late, and gone is the USA so great, and don't think it can't happen, it HAS happened to greater empires throughout history! DON'T take *GOD*, LOVE, or country for granted!!!

LWINSOR © 2017
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS

It is NOT something we merely ascribe to, and mouth, it IS something we DO; it IS PROACTIVE!!!