SOUND GUIDANCE FOR FUTURE SUCCESS

Eighty-five years ago President Calvin Coolidge addressed a gathering in Philadelphia to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He stated that “in its main features the Declaration of Independence is a great spiritual document.”

While many years have passed since the original signing of our Declaration of Independence it is appropriate to consider the words of that precious document and the applicability of those words to guide us into the ever-changing future. The source of this information comes from The American Patriot’s Almanac page #244,

President Coolidge also said in that speech, “Our forefathers came to certain conclusions and decided upon certain courses of action which has been a great blessing to the world…They were a people who came under the influence of a great spiritual development and acquired a great moral power.

No other theory is adequate to explain or comprehend the Declaration of Independence. It is the product of the spiritual insight of the people. We live in an age of science and of abounding accumulation of material things. These did not create our Declaration. Our Declaration created them. The things of the spirit come first. Unless we cling to that, all our material prosperity, overwhelming though it may appear, will turn to a barren scepter in our grasp. If we are to maintain the great heritage which has been bequeathed to us, we must be like-minded as the fathers who created it. We must not sink into a pagan materialism. We must cultivate the reverence which they had for the things that are holy. We must follow the spiritual and moral leadership which they showed. We must keep replenished, that they may glow with a more compelling flame, the altar fires before which they worshiped.”

It is not important if you approved of Coolidge’s presidency, but I do suggest that it is vital to our future to consider and abide by his worthy suggestions for our future guidance. While trouble appears to surround us at every corner, it is your Commander’s opinion that Coolidge’s words of some 85 years ago have stood the test of time, and are worthy for our contemplation.
Our current President and Congress should consider Coolidge’s advice. Unfortunately our leadership currently addresses every issue by how it will influence the enhancement of their re-election. Our Founding Fathers’ priorities were vastly different from today’s political leaderships.

COMMANDER GRANGER