Two-fifty
It does not seem an appropriate day to dwell on one, or on any, of my old “U.E.L.” themes. Today’s might be the often, not well-meaning, “bullshit” that filled the Declaration of Independence. We might examine it phrase by phrase, while asking of each: “Is, or was, this really true?” Or was it rather wildly exaggerated?
But this approach would be unfair. Essentially all political expostulations are bullshit, and in honesty, ought to be withdrawn.
That, indeed, was the message of the Loyalists, who at the time were also telling the same rude truths, against, for instance, the British Crown. But “liberty” and “independence” are rhetorical instruments, and often morally worthless. A few more words would be necessary to make them mean anything.
What I found most impressive about the American Revolution was the relative humility of the Founders. In addition to pledging their lives for the cause — and now we are approaching sincerity — most of these leaders were not blowhards. Madison, for instance, or Ben Franklin, hoped, but did not entirely expect the Revolution to last, even if it was at first successful. They were not proper Enlightenment characters (such as soon came along with their guillotines and other “humaine and egalitarian” equipment). They had read fairly widely in history and political philosophy, and were, in the main, reasonably sane.
Too, they were fortunately up against the most sane and reasonable Empire that, perhaps, the world had ever seen; unless the comparison is to the Mauryan Dynasty of Chandragupta and Ashoka. But that charming history is mostly bullshit, too.
If you were to consult my “Late Loyalist” ancestor, Stetson Holmes (1753–1824), driven out of Massachusetts first, and then out of the Republic of Vermont, the Revolutionists could be pretty rough and nasty — even though he had fought with the Continental Army. He had to cross Maine on foot with his family, then find a fishing boat that would take him to Nova Scotia. … Why?
He just wouldn’t be “politically correct” when he was arguing with his neighbours. He was just too American.