Bradley Project 2008-Bradley Project On America_s National ...

10 I The Bradley Project on america’s National identity I e pluribus unumself-government that would provide anexample for all mankind.George Washington in his Farewell Addressadvised Americans to be patriotic,moral, and religious. Thomas Jeffersonstressed unity in his First Inaugural Address,reminding a divided nation, “We areall Republicans, we are all Federalists.” 4Condemning a series of lynchings in the1830s, a young AbrahamLincoln urged thatAn American, then, is not defined byrace, religion, or ethnicity, but by faith infreedom, loyalty to democratic ideals, andfidelity to the U.S. Constitution. In 1943,President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated:… Americanism is a matter of the mindand heart; Americanism is not, and neverwas, a matter of race and ancestry. A goodAmerican is one who is loyal to this countryand to our creed of libertyand democracy. 7reverence for the law“become the political“This American creedis the cement in theAn Americanreligion of the nation.” diversified structure5pledges allegiance, notof this great nation ….And in 1963 on the stepsto his family tree, norThe American Creedof the Lincoln Memorial,to his political party orrepresents the nationalMartin LutherKing invoked “themagnificent words ofthe Constitution andconscience.”– Gunnar Myrdalcountry of origin, butto the American republicand to “liberty andjustice for all.” Comingthe Declaration … [as] a promissory note”to all Americans. 6The Emancipation Proclamation, thewomen’s suffrage amendment, and theCivil Rights Act of 1964 are all landmarksthat emerged from the founding ideals.Our flag, our pledge, our anthems, ourholidays, our monuments, and our coinsfrom all parts of the world, holding avast array of religious and other beliefs,competitive in the marketplace and oftenpartisan in their politics, Americans ofall backgrounds and persuasions are heldtogether, first and foremost, by loyalty tothese democratic ideals and a commitmentto the nation that upholds them.all reflect this creed.