The Freeman 1972 - The Ludwig von Mises Institute

273CLARENCE B. CARSONTHEFOUNDINGOFTHEAMERICANREPUBLIC10The DeclaraOtionof IndependenceTHE DECLARATION OF INDEPEND­ENCE is a peculiar, unusual, andin many ways, unique document inthe modern world. Of revolutionsthere have been a surfeit, andmore, in the last two hundredyears. And accompanying themhave been pronouncements, directives,statements, proclamations,and declarations enough for a goodstart on papering the walls of thePentagon. Of all such documents,however, one standsout and loomsabove the rest - the Declaration ofIndependence. Not only has it beenrevered usually by the people ofthe United States, provided thegrist for innumerable orations,been memorized - in part- byschool children; it also has beenalmost endlessly quoted in reproachof actual American ways and hasbeen looked to by peoples of otherlands as a standard. SupremeCourt justices have appealed to it,would-be revolutionaries haveclaimed its rhetoric, while those ofa conservative bent have soughttheir principles within it. Formost of the history of the UnitedStates only one national holiday­Thanksgiving - has ranked withthe 4th of July, the day set asidefor celebrating the signing of theDeclaration of Independence.Dr. Carson shortly will join the faculty ofHillsdale College in Michigan as Chairman ofthe Department of History. He is a noted lecturerand author, his latest book entitledThrottling the Railroads.