Law Abiding Freedom
Dublin Core
Title
Law Abiding Freedom
Description
"Freedom of itself is a beautiful word-but freedom without law to back it is anarchy. Just as men must have freedom to think and speak in order to progress and indeed survive, so must they have self-made laws regulating that freedom.
History has proven again and again. The Roman Empire was great as long as it was composed of disciplined free men. TO be a Roman citizen then meant to be a free man all over the known world. The Romans conquered not merely by force of arms, but by force of concerted, intelligent action. But when liberty degenerated into license, they fell a prey to the barbaric Germanic invaders.
As the historian, James Truslow Adams, wrote: “Without a vision men shall die. It is no less true that without hard practical sense, they shall also die.” This has been the secret back of our country’s greatness. America started from a vision of freedom for all mankind, but it was backed up by laws that insured the keeping of that freedom. Freedom alone is not enough. Nor will arbitrary laws suffice. But freedom backed by laws, conceived and legislated by those to whom they must apply, is invincible.
We cannot safeguard the freedom that is democracy by undemocratic means. Democracy is the rule of the majority, implies an acquiescence to self-government, a willing obedience to the laws of the majority, plus a realization by the majority that minorities not only have rights, too but are entitled to equal consideration and cannot be trammelled [SIC].III or imposed upon. Rights which we demand for ourselves we must grant to others. That is why free speech and freedom of religion are basic to our American democracy.
A democratic free government- is on of laws not of dictates. Yet the laws themselves are no stronger nor weaker than the persons who enforce them. Black Markets, economic discrimination, are but evidence of weak links in the chain of citizens.
Only freedom which is under strong law, only strong law to which men consent because it preserves freedom, can endure. It is up to each of us who desire freedom, who believe in democracy, who want to preserve their own laws-whether or not we like them- and to accord the same privileges to others. That is the democratic way. That is the way to successful freedom."
History has proven again and again. The Roman Empire was great as long as it was composed of disciplined free men. TO be a Roman citizen then meant to be a free man all over the known world. The Romans conquered not merely by force of arms, but by force of concerted, intelligent action. But when liberty degenerated into license, they fell a prey to the barbaric Germanic invaders.
As the historian, James Truslow Adams, wrote: “Without a vision men shall die. It is no less true that without hard practical sense, they shall also die.” This has been the secret back of our country’s greatness. America started from a vision of freedom for all mankind, but it was backed up by laws that insured the keeping of that freedom. Freedom alone is not enough. Nor will arbitrary laws suffice. But freedom backed by laws, conceived and legislated by those to whom they must apply, is invincible.
We cannot safeguard the freedom that is democracy by undemocratic means. Democracy is the rule of the majority, implies an acquiescence to self-government, a willing obedience to the laws of the majority, plus a realization by the majority that minorities not only have rights, too but are entitled to equal consideration and cannot be trammelled [SIC].III or imposed upon. Rights which we demand for ourselves we must grant to others. That is why free speech and freedom of religion are basic to our American democracy.
A democratic free government- is on of laws not of dictates. Yet the laws themselves are no stronger nor weaker than the persons who enforce them. Black Markets, economic discrimination, are but evidence of weak links in the chain of citizens.
Only freedom which is under strong law, only strong law to which men consent because it preserves freedom, can endure. It is up to each of us who desire freedom, who believe in democracy, who want to preserve their own laws-whether or not we like them- and to accord the same privileges to others. That is the democratic way. That is the way to successful freedom."
Creator
Ruth Taylor
Publisher
Negro Star
Date
1947-7-4
Collection
Citation
Ruth Taylor, “Law Abiding Freedom,” African American Fourth of July, accessed April 26, 2024, https://africanamerican4th.omeka.net/items/show/454.