“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD." ~ Psalm
33:12
Travel back in time over nearly 250
years to the first Continental Congress.
Thomas Jefferson, the youngest member of Congress and gifted writer, had
been chosen to draft the Declaration of Independence. John Adams edited the text. During the process, Jefferson and Adams became
fast friends and later, political competitors.
Both sought the Presidency in 1797.
Jefferson finished a close second to Adams in the Electoral
College, which, by the rules of the time, made him the new vice president. Their ideas about policy-making became as
distinct as their personalities. Jefferson
was a bit of a libertarian radical for his time, believing the federal
government should defer to individual states’ rights. Adams, a buttoned-down conservative was a firm
believer in a strong centralized government.
Adams called his rival a “weakling, a lecher, an atheist and
a coward.” Jefferson labelled Adams “a
fool, a hypocrite, a criminal and a tyrant.”
Jefferson even hired a “hatchet man” who later served time for his
slanderous attacks on Adams.
After an exceptionally bitter campaign, Jefferson emerged
victorious, becoming the county’s third President in 1800. It appeared the former friends would be
eternal enemies.
And just a truth persists, so does friendship. Twelve years after their malicious election, a
mutual friend engineered a reconciliation.
The two statesmen began writing letters to each other. Their correspondence touched on many topics,
from reminiscences about their contributions to the young nation's history, to
opinions on current political issues, to matters of philosophy and religion, to
issues of aging. Their letters were
lighthearted and filled with affection.
As two of the few surviving signers of the Declaration of
Independence, they were finally able to see that they had far more in common
than any differences they’d once perceived.
After fifteen years of resumed friendship, on July 4, 1826,
Jefferson and Adams both died within hours of each other. Their deaths occurred -- perhaps appropriately
-- on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of
Independence.
Unaware that his friend had died hours earlier, Adams'
family later recalled his last spoken words, "Thomas Jefferson
survives."
Drifting in and out of consciousness, Jefferson awoke for
the last time to ask his aide: “Is it the Fourth, today?”
“Indeed it is,” Mr. Jefferson. “Today is the Fourth of July. We owe you and Mr. Adams tremendous thanks.”
There’s a lesson here for our present-day politicians. There can be strong and completely opposite
points of view, hard fought in public and privately, but public benefit can be
maintained through disciplined and respectful discourse.
Happy Independence Day!
And please God, bless America!
Almighty God, America needs Your healing touch. On this day that we celebrate our
independence, our politics are torn by uncompromising bitterness. We ask You for the blessing of hope and
forgiveness, that our liberty will thrive for generations. Amen
