Lincoln's Declaration And Ours

America and its people have prospered thanks to the Constitution and the Union which that Constitution sought to make “more perfect,” but those institutional arrangements were only the proximate cause of American success. At a deeper level there is “a philosophical cause,” some principle that “entwines itself more closely about the human heart.”

Lincoln found that principle in the Declaration’s proclamation of “Liberty to all.” Here was a promise for which an oppressed people would fight and endure much. Drawing on the moral force and energy of that principle was no less necessary in 1861 than in 1776. Hence Lincoln could exult that the expression of that principle in Jefferson’s Declaration, “at that time, was the word, ‘fitly spoken’ which has proved an ‘apple of gold’ to us.” Adapting the figure of speech in Proverbs 25:11, Lincoln encapsulated his own understanding of the primacy of principle in shaping public sentiment.

The Union, and the Constitution, are the picture of silver, subsequently framed around it. The picture (the frame) was made, not to conceal, or destroy the apple (the Declaration of Independence); but to adorn, and preserve it. The picture was made for the apple — not the apple for the picture.

Abraham Lincoln’s achievement was to reconfigure how Americans of all colors and conditions would come to view their common past and future. He repeatedly raised aloft Jefferson’s abstract truth in the Declaration of Independence, (that all were created equal, and had been endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights,) and in so doing extended it to enfold the least of us — right down to the newest immigrant — into the founders’ family. By virtue of sharing the same moral principle, all might now be “blood of the blood, and flesh of the flesh.”

But beyond that, Lincoln effected a change of spirit in his people, leading them to believe that Jefferson’s truth was still marching on. Thanks to his retelling of the nation’s story, their own and subsequent generations might be inspired to keep that “ancient faith,” and so draw ever nearer to fulfilling its promise.

Full article at http://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/lincolns-declaration-and-ours