The Pursuit of Happiness
What do the very words “Pursuit of Happiness” mean to you?
I believe they are words meant to inspire mankind to always continue to thrive, regardless of circumstance. They can be found within the heart of our very own Declaration of Independence.
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.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.
Click links below to read more regarding the importance of the above mentioned document.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
Years after the Declaration of Independence was written and signed, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson began to correspond once again, this time not as political foes, but as friends.
My Dear Mr. Jefferson,
Would you go back to your cradle and live over again your 70 years? ~ John Adams to Thomas Jefferson
You asked if I would agree to live my 70 or rather 73 years again? To which I say “ye.” I think with you that it is a good world on the whole, that it has been framed on a principle of benevolence and more pleasure than pain dealt out to us. There are indeed who might say “né” gloomy and hypochondriac minds despairing of the future. To these I say… How much pain have costs us the evils which have never happened? My temperament is sanguine, I steer my bark with hope in the head leaving fear a stern ~ Thomas Jefferson to John Adams
Dear Sir,
A letter from you calls up recollections very dear to my mind. It carries me back to times when beset with difficulties and dangers we were fellow laborers in the same cause, struggling for what is most valuable to man. His right of self-government. Laboring always on the same oar with some wave ever ahead threatening to overwhelm us and yet passing harmless under our bark. We knew not how, we rode through the storm with heart and hand and made a happy port. ~ John Adams to Thomas Jefferson
Neverminded my dear sir if I write four letters to your one. Yours is worth more than my four. You and I have ought not to die before we have explained ourselves to each other. ~ Thomas Jefferson to John Adams
Dear Sir,
I may rationally hope to be the first to depart. And as you are the youngest, and the most energetic in mind and body. You may therefore rationally hope to be the last to take your flight. ~ John Adams to Thomas Jefferson
Dear Sir,
Crippled wrists and fingers make writing slow and laborious. But while writing to you, I lose the sense of these things in the recollection of ancient times when youth and health made happiness out of everything. I forget for awhile the horrory winter of age when we can think of nothing but how to keep ourselves warm and how to get rid of our heavy hours until the friendly hand of death shall rid us all at once. ~ Thomas Jefferson to John Adams
By the Spring of 1826 letters between Thomas Jefferson and John Adam started to dwindle due to their ailing health.
A gallon lamp oil costing one dollar and twenty-five cents has lighted my chamber highly twenty-five nights for six hours a night; which is five cents a night for a hundred and fifty hours. ~ Thomas Jefferson’s final notation in his day book. ~ May 22, 1826
Jefferson was asked to be the keynote speaker for the Declaration of Independence 50 year celebration. Jefferson gently declines speaking in Washington on July 4th 1826 but sent these final words which I find to be relevant for today’s generation of Americans.
May it be to the world what I believe it will be to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all. A signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance, and superstition have persuaded them to bind themselves and to assume the blessing and security of self-government. All eyes are opened or opening to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palatable truth: that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately by the Grace of God. These are grounds of hope for others. For ourselves let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollection of these rights and an undiminished devotion to them. ~Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Independence
Ironically on July 4th, 1826 the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence John Adams passed this life at 5pm in the afternoon. His last words, Jefferson still lives….. Thomas Jefferson however passed this life just a few hours before his beloved friend John Adams on the same day.
And so we have gone on and so we shall go on, puzzled and prospering beyond example and the history of man. And I do believe we shall continue to grow, to multiply and prosper, until we exhibit an association powerful, wise and happy beyond what has yet been seen by man. I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. So good night. I will dream on, always fancying that Mrs. Adams and yourself are by my side, marking our progress. ~ Thomas Jefferson to John Adams
Thomas Jefferson 1997 Biography by documentarian Ken Burns
May you be inspired,
luartfan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8arvEzHsA8&feature=youtu.be ~ Don’t Stop
Renee Emery 