Viva Ohio!
In the early days of the American revolutionary movement John Dickinson wrote the following lyrics:
“Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all,
By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall;
In so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed,
For heaven approves of each generous deed.
From this song known as “The Liberty Song” we get the saying “United we stand, divided we fall.”
John Dickinson is the embodiment of many of the contradictions of the founding of the early American government. We are still grappling with these contradictions today. Dickinson was a man of very defined principles when it came to writing. He became known as the “Penman of the Revolution” and he seems to have held person-hood, liberty and freedom in high regard. Dickinson penned both “The Liberty Song” and the initial drafts of the first amendment to the constitution (you know the whole freedom of speech thing). Yet as a landowner in America in the 18th century he owned fellow humans as slaves and servants. Later in life Dickinson partially and then fully freed the people that he had enslaved. As a former slave holder he then became a part of the abolitionist movement.
We can see clearly the contradictions between his ideas and the reality of the humans that he “owned”. As he came to terms with these contradictions he was forced to realize the illegitimate nature of his principles. His story and the story of his transformation of morality can perhaps be a metaphor for the United States. A government founded on lofty principles to govern a people that had not yet realized those principles in their lives and actions towards all Americans and the native peoples of the land they were calling home. As the United States has progressed we have been forced to realize the contradictions of our own ideals and our reality.
The contradictions of Dickinson and many other founders are inhumane and repulsive to us today. However, the ideals of liberty, freedom and person-hood are still as useful in guiding us towards a better society as they were in the 18th century. Just as liberty, freedom and person-hood are still relevant today so are the concepts of unity and division. Perhaps unity and division have come into sharper contrast in the attack culture of social media.
If your are still with me as I wrap this up I would like to pose the question, if we are not unified to fight for liberty and freedom for all people are we doomed to watch America fail? Was all of the struggle and revolution worth anything if we give up now? Can we appreciate that many Americans have fought and died horribly violent deaths just so we today can change the course of a country and perhaps the planet by simply checking a box or punching a chad?
Here is the full lyrics of “The Liberty Song” if you are in need of a socially distant drinking song :
“Come, join hand in hand, brave Americans all,
And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call;
No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim,
Or stain with dishonor America's name.
Chorus:
In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live.
Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady;
Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.
Our worthy forefathers, let's give them a cheer,
To climates unknown did courageously steer;
Thro' oceans to deserts for Freedom they came,
And dying, bequeath'd us their freedom and fame.
Chorus
Their generous bosoms all dangers despis'd,
So highly, so wisely, their Birthrights they priz'd;
We'll keep what they gave, we will piously keep,
Nor frustrate their toils on the land and the deep.
Chorus
The tree their own hands had to Liberty rear'd;
They lived to behold growing strong and revered;
With transport they cried, "Now our wishes we gain,
For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain."
Chorus
Swarms of placemen and pensioners soon will appear
Like locusts deforming the charms of the year;
Suns vainly will rise, showers vainly descend,
If we are to drudge for what others shall defend.
Chorus
Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all,
By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall;
In so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed,
For heaven approves of each generous deed.
Chorus
All ages shall speak with amaze and applause,
Of the courage we'll show in support of our Laws;
To die we can bear, but to serve we disdain.
For shame is to Freedom more dreadful than pain.
Chorus
This bumper I crown for our Sovereign's health,
And this for Britannia's glory and wealth;
That wealth and that glory immortal may be,
If She is but Just, and if we are but Free.
