The colonies — later to become states — figured out that the new nation would be stronger as one, uniting behind a common cause and set of laws. Sure, there were intense debates around the meeting rooms, differing factions and multiple disagreements. Thankfully, there was no social media to amplify the arguments, and politics had yet to descend into expensive circus acts of deceitful promises, unrealistic pledges and ugly campaigns.
The delegates who wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the delegates who wrote the U.S. Constitution in 1787 had their flaws. In addition, there were skeptics in the room, some more militant than others, and many who held minority opinions and did not get their way.
But no one in the room stomped off to stand in front of newspaper reporters and falsely proclaim the results were fake, the elections stolen, the documents forged or manipulated as the country saw and heard after the 2020 presidential election. The colonial delegates worked together to create a new country and establish a set of laws to govern that country — its government and its people. They accepted that consensus means everyone sticks together.
No one went outside, stood on an overturned tea box and called for supporters to take over the building.
And no one hinted that their supporters threaten the lives of elected officials or leave hateful notes on their doorsteps — the equivalent of voicemail in the 18th century.
The delegates were not perfect gentlemen — and sadly, only men were allowed in office at that time. But compared to many elected officials and candidates, political party leaders and self-appointed advocates of today, the leaders of the 1770s and 1780s were mostly a respectful group. Their name-calling was as dignified as the white wigs they wore.
As Americans commemorate the Fourth of July, the founding of the nation, a country of laws and civil discourse and consensus, it would be helpful — and healthy — if people could remember how to behave, how to treat others, particularly people with differing opinions. The meanness, the animosity, distrust and anger that have overtaken U.S. politics and policy threaten the country that started 246 years ago.
Many political activists are fond of saying the country must adhere to the morals and intent of the founding fathers. Whereas the colonial immorality of denying equality to women and minorities should not be the standard, working toward consensus without calling for an overthrow of elected government is worth remembering this Fourth of July.
-- Wrangell Sentinel
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