Observations©

By Donald S. Conkey

Date: September 24, 2009 - # 9939 - Title: “Freedom is not bestowed, it is achieved.” (826)

September 12 was a momentous day not only for America but for us here in Cherokee County. On the national scene millions of concerned, even fearful Americans, using the protection of our constitution’s first amendment to “peaceably assemble and to petition the (their) government for a redress of grievances” “assembled” in towns and cities all across America, with the climax being the assembling of nearly two million in Washington D. C. And this nation-wide assemblage conveyed their message of dissatisfaction powerfully, as powerfully, perhaps more so, than the civil rights protest marches of the 70s.

            And equally impressive was the gathering of over 300 county citizens at the Cherokee County Convention Center in Canton in a mini ‘town-hall’ gathering to show solidarity, against Washington’s current direction, seldom seen here in the county in recent years.

And, ironically, it was bi-racial (hear that Jimmy). The event’s only speaker was Herman Cain, an African American radio personality capitalist with a powerful message on America’s republican form of government that he delivered in an equally powerful manner. He quickly captured his audience by encouraged those attending to ‘”get more involved” in their government before it’s “too late.”

Cain pointed out the “forces of change” taking place under the new administration are diametrically opposed to the principles of liberty embedded in America’s foundational documents by the Founders. Cain further warned his audience not to become so focused on the negatives of HR 3200 to ignore the ‘positive health care reforms’ outlined in HR 3400, a bill authored by Congressman Tom Price, nor to ignore the other destructive bills now being considered by congress. He suggested there have been few times in America’s illustrative history where there has been a greater need for ‘the people to get involved’ to help ‘restore’ America to its foundational principles. The implied but unspoken message: unless “We the people” (the most important words in the Constitution) get more fully involved in our government this administration will lead its citizenry back into slavery – with the federal government the new masters.

How ironic this would be! Most of those involved in crafting the Constitution in 1787 were opposed to slavery, even those who owned slaves, but when they attempted to make emancipation a part of the new Constitution they faced opposition so strong that without compromise it would have ended the Convention. Two states, Georgia and South Carolina, threatened to leave, but stayed when Article I, Section 9 was agreed too. This section put off the “Migration or Importation of such persons (those persons being imported and sold to the than flourishing slave trade by their African tribal leaders) as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit.” until 1808. But when 1808 arrived this issue was again rebuffed due to the south’s flourishing cotton industry (principles of freedom were again ignored).

Cain’s talk led me to ask: what is freedom? As I was pondering this question an anonymous reader sent me a book titled “Just and Holy Principles: Latter-day Saint Readings on America and the Constitution.”  It is a book of talks compiled by Ralph C. Hancock and was published by Simon and Schuster in 1998. One talk, by Albert E. Bowen, clarified clearly for me what freedom really is, and I believe my readers, regardless of their political or religious philosophy, will agree with his definition of freedom. In a talk given on April 3, 1938 Bowen said: “Freedom is an achievement that requires moral self-government;” followed by: “Freedom signifies more than a release from outward restraints. It is an essence, a quality of spirit whose rarest blossoms, in an atmosphere of oppression, wither and die;” and he followed that with what I consider to be the classic definition of freedom: “Freedom is not bestowed; it is achieved.” It is not a gift, but a conquest. It does not abide, it must be preserved.” A soul enlightening definition!

During his talk Bowen also reminded his audience that “The people of America have been the freest people on earth precisely because more of the activities of life have been left to self-direction than has been the case anywhere else [in the world] and the domain occupied by government has been correspondingly more circumscribed.” Another talk in the book, one by Dallin H. Oaks given on July 5, 1987, reminded me that since the ratification of our Constitution in 1788 “every nation in the world except six has adopted written constitutions and the U.S. Constitution was a model for all of them.” Following this he said “No wonder modern revelation says that God established the U.S. Constitution and that it ‘should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles.’”

Is freedom worth dying for? Many think it is! But before dying for freedom maybe, just maybe, we all should do as Herman Cain suggested, “Get more involved” locally.  Try it! Freedom needs your voice!