A Lawyer’s Thoughts on Independence Day by Bill Faber “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 institute among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed . . .” The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 The Founding Fathers created our ingenious republic system of government in the Constitution of the United States of America. But no matter how exquisite the machinery of government, corrupt individuals will always find loopholes in the law. The Founding Fathers understood that a society cannot depend upon law alone. A nation requires the virtue of its people to succeed: self-sacrifice, tolerance and co-operation. The Founding Fathers knew, as Plato taught, that a nation is a microcosm of the individual and the character of the nation will always reflect the dominant character of the citizens. The primary purpose of government is to establish and serve Justice. Though many in my profession of the law have breached the trust granted them, many have honored the trust given them. I look down history’s dusty path and I see lawyers at work. I see: James Madison writing the U.S. Constitution; I see Abraham Lincoln telling a nation that it shall heal with malice toward none; I see F.D.R. giving his fireside chat and telling a nation that we have nothing to fear but fear itself; and I see a young President John F. Kennedy telling a new generation of Americans to ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country. In past times citizenship meant responsibility to the community. Freedom demands responsibility. If we as citizens feel dismay about the present state of affairs in Washington D.C. or in Springfield, or in the city council, then each of us must accept individual blame and take action ourselves to bring change. As the ancients taught and our Founding Fathers knew, the government is you and I. Thank you for listening. Bill Faber is a Decatur lawyer with over 20 years experience trying cases to juries of the people. |
