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Williamsburg, VA - President's Speech, 1/31/76 (2)
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Williamsburg, VA - President's Speech, 1/31/76 (2)
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The original documents are located in Box 72, folder "Williamsburg, VA - President's
Speech, 1/31/76 (2)" of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 72 of The John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
DRAFT/MARSH/January 23, 1976
America is in its Bicentennial Year. The countdown
Independence Day has begun.
It is appropriate for the first address that I as President
should make on the Bicentennial should occur
here where it all began. It is one of the ironies of history that
withina few miles of this place the first permanent English
settlement in the new world would be made in 1607 and that 174
years later only 20 miles away at Yorktown the American Revolution
would end British colonial rule.
I am aware of the history of the Commonwealth and the
heritage of Virginia. I would also point out, what I am sure this
Assembly knows, is that 100 years prior to the American Revolution
the colony of Virginia in a
preclude to Independence overthrew its royal government and for a
-2-
brief but significant period in American history asserted its
independence from the Crown, under the leadership of Nathaniel
Bacon. Bacon's rebellion planted, many believe, the seeds
of the American Revolution.
Knowing of Virginians appreciation of history, I am sure
that these Tercentennial events will be properly noted.
As I am sure many of you are aware, the Commonwealth
is my second home. Betty and I still own our home of many
years in Alexandria and our younsters have been educated in your
schools. So I hope that you will not feel I come as a stranger.
This Assembly, can continuously trace its origins
to 1619, the oldest Assembly in the new world. It is the oldest
legislative body under a written Constitution in the western world.
The names of some of those who have served in this colonial
-3-
Legislature read like a litany of American greatness: Washington,
Jefferson, Henry, Lee, Mason, Randolph, Madison, Monroe.
The events that occurred in Williamsburg shaped not only
America but world history. George Mason, author of the immortal
Declaration of Rights, in looking back on the events that transpired
here observed: "We seem to have been treading
on enchanted
ground. 11
We tread today on enchanted ground.
An examination of the lives of the men of this era
inescapably leads to the conclusion that the college of William
and Mary played a significant role in the development and training
of an enlightened leadership. William and Mary in age is second
only to Harvard. The influence of all the colonial colleges on
developing the ideas of the Revolution is one that should be
studied and explored as we examine the Bicentennial period.
3a
The men and women in the colonies extending along the
rim of our eastern coast were pioneers in a colonial era. They
faced a frontier that was an unexplored wilderness. A vast
continent whose resources and riches they could not measure
nor imagine. They lived in a world of harsh reality and constant
danger. They were the victims of the elements and of disease.
Isolation and loneness were their accepted lot. The West was
-4-
scarely 200 miles away, the ridges of the Allegheny Mountain,
the Continent was a pawn for the power blocs of Western Europe
not only the British Empire but France and Spain asserted dominion
over substantial parts of what are today the Continental United States.
These pioneers in a colonial world who faced a wilderness of nature
would become pioneers in another way they did not plan.
They became pioneers in representative government.
Pioneers in the rule of law. Pioneers in individual liberty and
institutional democracy. Pioneers in the role of the States as
servants of the people. The discoveries of the new world would
not be limited to land or resources but the freedom of speech,
religion and the press. These
pioneers in representative
government, in Chambers such as this, assured for us trial
-5-
by jury, freedom from self incrimination, the right to bear
arms, and freedom from unlawful search and seizure.
Their exploration carried them not only across the
American continent but opened new horizons for the American
spirit and opportunities for individual achievement.
These discoveries in self government which were spelled
out in our Declaration were won at Yorktown and assured in our
Constitution. They are as precious today as they were two
centuries ago.
I submitt to you we are pioneers in a modern world.
Ours is a wilderness that by-in-large is the creation of man.
It is a wilderness of teaming urbanization and highrises
with masses of population
It is a society impacted
by the
-6-
discovery and adaptation of science and technology. Assembly lines
and mass production, automation and computerized programming become
pace makers of our people. Individualism is often a casualty of the
machine age.
Americans today live in the truly first nation of the modern
world. We are the first to face this wilderness of the masses.
The first to deal with the impact of communication and technology
not only on humanity but on the institution of a free people.
We are pioneers in a new age.
Democracy on this planet is becoming increasingly rare.
Beyond our shores representative government is not expanding;
rather it is retreating. It can be correctly said that on the face
of this globe, Americans are still the true revolutionaries.
-7-
The ideas discussed and debated at Raleigh Tavern or
here in this House of Burgess or at the townhall meeting of colonial
New England or at Independence Hall -- these ideas went West with
the American people.
Before the golden spike was driven in Utah to link the
continent by rail, we were bound to each other by the invisible links
in a chain of ideas that produced governments of states, cities,
counties, and towns which share a common heritage and sought to
govern for the common good.
We know that we have not as yet formed the perfect union.
We are aware that we have made mistakes, but I also know that
succeeding generations of Americans have formed a better union.
The challenges we face are the challenges of a modern
world. As pioneers in this new wilderness canwe address our
national needs, assure the public safety, defend the nation,
-8-
provide the economic opportunities, fullfill the aspirations of our
people, cope with science and technology, manage our resources,
protect our environment within the concepts of limited government
and institutional democracy?
Can a free people with representative government live and
compete - achieve national greatness and sustain world leadership -
in a modern world? I believe we can. It is going to require common
sense and self-restraint.
The American experiment is a constantly evolving one. It
is not limited to region or to a period of history. The gradual
but unremitting expansion of freedom for all of our people has
unfolded throughout our history as a Nation. It, therefore,
follows that the Bicentennial should be observed in different
ways across our land as people of different cultures and regions
mark their contributions to the achievement of this Republic.
-9-
The pursuit of happiness by the participation in the
American experiment and contributing to the Revolutionary
concepts of limited self-government and individual liberty
is an American legacy you and I share.
Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson -- these giants
and their contemporaries do not belong to Virginia or Pennsylvania
or Massachusetts. They belong to the ages.
And what shall posterity say of us a decade, a century, a
thousand years hence. Shall some historians in another day,
another age, at another place write that the American Republic,
man's greatest hope for man, perished from the earth because
its people were not true to the legacy of their forebearers and
lacked the will to meet the challenge of their time.
I believe that of us historians shall record that this
Republic and its people in a unique moment of human history
-10-
shaped a new desitny. Built a new world based on law, individual
achievement and human freedom, and thereby repaid in part the
debt we all owe to a tiny, handfull of men, who with a firm
reliance on the protection of a Divine Province, 200 years ago
at Philadelphia, mutually pledged their lives, their fortunes,
and their sacred honor that liberty might grow old.
Let us this day resolve we shall write this story for our
country.
cold sheet of 1/24 -2- speech)
its independence from the Crown, under the leadership of Nathaniel
Bacon. Bacon's rebellion planted, many believe, the seeds of the
American Revolution.
Knowing of Virginians' appreciation of history, I am sure that
these Tercentennial events will be properly noted.
As I am sure many of you are aware, the Commonwealth is
my second home. Betty and I still own our home of many years in
Alexandria, and our youngsters have been educated in your schools.
So I hope that you will not feel I come as a stranger.
This Assembly can continuously trace its origin to 1619, the
oldest Assembly in the new world. It is the oldest legislative body
under a written Constitution in the western world.
The names of some of those who have served in this colonial
Legislature read like a litany of American greatness: Washington,
Jefferson, Henry, Lee, Mason, Randolph, Madison, Monroe.
GERALD 017 R. FORD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 28, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
JACK MARSH
Attached are seven additional pages to the original Williamsburg
speech draft which I gave to you. You may wish to review these
from the standpoint of suggestions and ideas.
I have given a copy of the draft to Milt and he is pulling together
a combined draft which incorporates his own thoughts.
You should be aware that we have had requests from some on
your staff for you to make an appeal on this occasion for
Virginia to adopt the Equal Rights Amendment. Copies of
two incoming memos are attached.
OBE
JAN 2 8 1976
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 27, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JACK MARSH
Bobeni
FROM:
BOBBIE GREENE KILBERG
SUBJECT:
ERA statement in President's
speech at Williamsburg
As a follow-up to my memorandum of earlier this week, I want
to make two additional points in support of the President making
a pro-equal rights statement in his speech at Williamsburg:
1. It is my understanding that the President spoke in support
of the ERA in Illinois and North Carolina, two states which,
like Virginia, have not ratified the amendment;
2. In response to any allegations that the President is an outsider
interfering with a state ratification process, the President can
point out in a graceful manner that he and Mrs. Ford feel a
special affection and allegiance for two states -- Michigan,
their home state, and Virginia, the state where they lived
for many years when he served in Congress. Thus, the
President is a concerned "constituent" of Virginia and not an
outsider.
cc: Philip W. Buchen
cc: Russ Rourke
GERALD AUTHOIT : FORD
JAN 26 1976
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 26, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JACK MARSH
FROM:
PAT LINDROL
KAREN KEESLING
nn
SUBJECT:
President's Virginia General
Assembly Speech
The President's support for ratification of the
Equal Rights Amendment has been strong. We
receive requests daily for the President to
speak out in states that have not ratified.
The President has been responsive to questions
from reporters and has referred to the ERA in
speeches previously such as his North Carolina
Central University address.
Virginia is one of the few states where the ERA
has not come to the floor of the General Assembly.
It has been bottled up in committee.
We request that a reference be made to the rati-
fication of the Equal Rights Amendment when the
President addresses the Virginia General Assembly
on Saturday. We are attaching the President's
Women's Equality Day Proclamation in which the
President asks unratified states to give serious
consideration to this issue.
FORD is LIBRARY 038800
of THE UNITED PREST THE
OF
Women's Equality Day, 1975
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
In October 1971 and March 1972, the House of Representatives and the Senate
of the United States adopted a proposed amendment to our Constitution providing
equal rights for men and women. By August 26, 1972, twenty States had ratified the
proposed constitutional amendment, only eighteen more were needed for the proposed
amendment to become part of our Constitution.
August 26 is a significant date because it was on that day in 1920 that the Nine-
teenth Amendment, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex with regard to
voting, was certified as part of our Constitution after ratification by the necessary
three-fourths of the States. Recognizing that the proposed Equal Rights Amendment
is the logical and rightful extension of the Nineteenth Amendment to rights other than
voting, the President has, since 1972, annually set aside the 26th of August in recogni-
tion of the real and practical need to ensure that equal legal rights are enjoyed by
women and men.
This year, 1975, has been designated as International Women's Year, dedicated
to equality between men and women. It is also the two-hundredth year of our Nation-
a Nation born, nurtured and dedicated to the proposition that all people are entitled
to be equal before the law.
Several more States need to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment before it becomes
part of our Constitution. It would be most fitting for this to be accomplished during
our Nation's two-hundredth year. In this Land of the Free, it is right, and by nature
it ought to be, that all men and all women are equal before the law.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States of
America, to remind all Americans that it is fitting and just to ratify the Equal Rights
Amendment adopted by the Congress of the United States of America, in order to
secure legal equality for all women and men, do hereby designate and proclaim
August 26, 1975, as Women's Equality Day.
I call upon all the citizens of the United States to mark this day with appropriate
activities, and I call upon those States who have not ratified the Equal Rights Amend-
ment to give serious consideration to its ratification and the upholding of our Nation's
heritage.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of
August, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and seventy-five, and of the Inde-
pendence of the United States of America the two-hundredth.
Gerall R. Ford
BERALD FORD LIBRARY
January 28, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: DICK CHENEY
DAVE GERGEN
BOB ORBEN
FROM:
JACK MARSH
In reference to the Williamsburg speech, attached is some
additional material for inclusion with the earlier draft 1
sent you.
Attachment
JOM/dl
FORD is LIBRARY BERALD
DRAFT/MARSH/1-28-76
Republic
The Federal system is the creatureof the colonial assemblies.
Our tripartite system of government with checks and balances,
tracing
is the evolution of the representative system which traces it* origin
to the Magna Charta and the English Bill of Rights. Our Constitution
with its Bill of Rights is a product of our colonial experience.
The resovoir of all governmental power is rested in the people.
IP And the American experience has shown that the closer government
is to the people, the more difficult the task of governing. The
modern federal system has lead to a detachment by distance which
at times runs counter to our basic needs. The trend to centralism
and increased féderalism is beginning to change as we see that
big government is not necessarily the answer to our problems.
In the first decade of our third century, we must intensify
the examination of the role to be played by government at all
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
-2-
levels in addressing our national needs. This is not to say all
national problems have State answers, but neither is a federal
IP
solution the best answer to every human need. You must
IP remember The the reservation of the rights to the people set out In
the 10th Amendment of the Constitution is a recognition you
we
pay a price for everything. You must always remember that
any government which is big enough to give us everything we
want is also big enough to take away everything we have.
This was a view that I held.
Both an
s
Our state and federal system is unique in the separation
between
of powers with three co-equal branches of government. Some
called it
have described this as the Executive ystem with exclusive
duties and jurisdictions reserved to each branch.
arrangement,
Out of this system has arisen a relationship described as
at
partnewous the
level,
-3-
comity which enables the branches to perform smoothly and in their
respective roles. Comity is not precise and is difficult to define.
It might be described as a civility or courtesy that enables our
***** representative system to work.
nationally the
The American Doctrine of comity has suffered in the last
A
an
decade for a number of reasons including the avalanche of change.
There is a great need that this principle remain strong. This
is especially true between the Executive and Legislative branches.
Our history has shown where the spirit of comity is weakened,
the effectiveness of our Federal system has been weakened.
This principle is particularly vital in the conduct of foreign
ag affairs and in the execution of the duties of the President as
Commander-in-Chief in providing for the national defense.
In the matters involving our intelligence community , for example,
-4- -
in the transfer of highly sensitive documents from the Executive
Branch to the Legislative Branch this can be more successfully
accomplished in the long run by the recognition and exchange of
doctrine
comity than it can by legislation. This principle can reach an area
a
an
that neither the statute nore the Executive order can adequately
achieve. (over)
Ax I am certain that the Congress will join with me in the
strengthering
recognition and exercise of this fundamental American principle
of government.
also
We live in revolutionary times. The revolution through
a
one of momentors
which our forebearers lived was like our one atimo of change.
1
Perhaps the greatest tribute that can be paid to these men and
litere
me
of ship
stry
women two centuries ago is through out that difficult period ^ civil
capacity
order was maintained. There existed the ability to capture and
We not
must A pennit partivoring
nor politics to erode away
a time tested means of
offecting offecting producing
affective promoting executive-
legs Letine coggration.
something ofvalve -
-5-
retain Certain values
Order never disobved dissolved into chaos
common.
and thereby destroy the aspirations of a
cause.
The winds of change that swept away the old order in the
13 colonies did not SO destroy the civil and economic foundations
of society to preclude a new order being built on the cornerstone
of the old.
The Bicentennial rightfully should emphasize its three khw koxex
themes of heritage, festivity and horizons. However, ultimately
our success in observing this great occasion shall not be gxix gauged
by the events we commemorate in a proud past -- and this we
should do.
Nor, shall it be measured by expositions, xxixex fairs,
and fireworks that are fitting for the Nation's celebration --
and in these people should join and enjoy.
-6-
Neither can it be realized in only plans and programs and for
bold projects and public improvements in another decade. Towever,
shows be
the imagination and ingenuity the American people measure by
directed
direction to that end.
Rather a meaningful observance of our Bicentennial is
-
the
a combination of these and more. It is the cap of a spirit,
seizing
the coasing of a intangible. It is the essence of the Declaration
1
- -
of Rights and the Declaration of Independence and the Federal
Constitution.
These documents are something more than compacts of
expressions of the
government. They were, and still are, expressions expressed
will and the spirit of a people. A people who took an
unbelievable risk for their future but ended up shaping a new
destiny for a new nation. They were unaware of the greatness they
-7-
had done -- but we should not be.
President Adams observed "The Revolution was effected
before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and
hearsk hearts of the people " President Adams was describing
the spirit that was reflected in these documents.
1976 for us is a year that is an Appeal to Greatness.
for
A resurgance of the American Spirit that has brought us to this
and
point in time of human achievement. A greatness that is
based on reason, responsibility and leadership. A greatness
based on individual opportunity and enlightenment. A greatness
that is reflected in the quality of our lives and the excellence
of what we produce.
A nation whose beyond its shores is respected for the
people
things in which it , believes, rathern than envied for the things that
- -8-
they have.
From this experiencence appeal to Greatness if we respond --
and I think we shall -- there shall be shared by us a century
A desting that
hence a common destiny for all mankind, that draws its inspiration
from those institutions we honor in this place on this day.
DRAFT/MARSH/January 28, 1976
The Republic is the creature of the colonial assemblies.
Our tripartite system of government with checks and balances,
is the evolution of the representative system tracing its origin
to the Magna Charta and the English Bill of Rights. Our Constitution
with its Bill of Rights is a product of our colonial experience. The
reservoir of all governmental power is the people.
The modern Federal system has led to a detachment by
distance which at times runs counter to our basic needs. The
trend to centralism and increased federalism is beginning to
change as we see that big government is not necessarily the
answer to our problems.
In the first decade of our third century, we must intensify
the examination of the role to be played by government at all
levels in addressing our national needs. This is not to say all
-2-
national problems have State answers, but neither is a Federal
solution the best answer to every human needs.
We must always remember that any government which is
big enough to give us everything we want is also big enough to
take away everything we have.
Both our State and Federal systems are unique in the
separation of powers between three co-equal branches of govern-
ment. Some have called it the Executive System with exclusive
duties and jurisdictions reserved to each branch.
Out of this arrangement, particularly at the Federal level,
has arisen a relationship described as comity, which enables the
branches to perform smoothly in their respective roles. Comity
is not precise and it is difficult to define. It might be described
as a civility or courtesy that enables our representative system to
work. There is a great need that this principle remain strong.
- -3-
Nationally the doctrine of comity has suffered in the last
decade for a number of reasons, including an avalanche of change.
This is especially true between the Executive and Legislative
branches. Our history has shown where the spirit of comity is
weakened, the effectiveness of our Federal system has been
weakened. This principle is particularly vital in the conduct of
foreign affairs and in the execution of the duties of the President
as Commander-in-Chief in providing for the national defense.
In the matters involving our intelligence community, for
example, in the transfer of highly sensitive documents from the
Executive Branch to the Legislative Branch, this can be more
successfully accomplished in the long run by the recognition and
exchange of comity than it can by legislation. This doctrine can
reach an area that neither a statute or an Executive Order can
adequately achieve.
-4-
We must not permit partisanship nor politics to erode away
a time tested means of promoting executive-legislative cooperation.
I am certain that the Congress will join with me in the
recognition and strengthening of this fundamental American principle
of government.
The revolution through which our forebearers lived, was
one of momentous change. Perhaps the greatest tribute that can be
paid to these men and women two centuries ago is through out that
difficult period of military strife civil order was maintained.
There existed the capacity to capture and retain something of
value. Order never dissolved into chaos and thereby destroy
the aspirations of a common cause.
The winds of change that swept away the old order in the
13 colonies did not SO destroy the civil and economic foundations
of society to preclude a new order being built on the cornerstone
-5- -
of the old.
The Bicentennial rightfully should emphasize its three
themes of heritage, festivity and horizons. However, ultimately
our success in observing this great occasion shall not be gauged
by the events we commemorate in a proud past -- and this we
shall do.
Nor, shall it be measured by expositions, fairs and
fireworks that are fitting for the Nation's celebration -- and in
these people should join and enjoy.
Neither can it be realized in only plans and programs for
bold projects and public improvements in another decade. However,
the imagination and ingenuity of the American people should be
directed to that end.
Rather a meaningful observance of our Bicentennial is a
combination of these and more. It is the capture of a spirit,
-6-
the seizing of an intangible. It is the essence of the Declaration
of Rights -- and the Declaration of Independence -- and the
Federal Constitution.
These documents are something more than compacts of
government. They were, and still are, expressions of the
will and the spirit of a people. A people who took an unbelievable
risk for their future but ended up shaping a new destiny for a new
nation. They were unaware of the greatness they they had done --
but we should not be.
President Adams observed: "The Revolution was effected
before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and
hearts of the people
"
President Adams was describing the
spirit that was reflected in these documents.
1976 for us is a year for an Appeal to Greatness. A
resurgence of the American Spirit that has brought us to this
-7-
point in Time and human achievement. A greatness that is
based on reason, responsibility and leadership. A greatness
based on individual opportunity and enlightenment. A greatness
that is reflected in the quality of our lives and the excellence
of what we produce.
A nation who beyond its shores is respected for the
things in which its people believe, rather than envied for the
things they have.
From this Appeal to Greatness if we respond -- and I
think we shall -- there shall be shared a century hence a common
destiny for all mankind. A destiny that draws its inspiration
from those institutions we honor in this place on this day.
DRAFT/MARSH/January 28, 1976
Filie
The Republic is the creature of the colonial assemblies.
Our tripartite system of government with checks and balances,
is the evolution of the representative system tracing its origin
to the Magna Charta and the English Bill of Rights. Our Constitution
with its Bill of Rights is a product of our colonial experience. The
reservoir of all governmental power is the people.
The modern Federal system has led to a detachment by
distance which at times runs counter to our basic needs. The
trend to centralism and increased federalism is beginning to
change as we see that big government is not necessarily the
answer to our problems.
In the first decade of our third century, we must intensify
the examination of the role to be played by government at all
levels in addressing our national needs. This is not to say all
-2-
national problems have State answers, but neither is a Federal
solution the best answer to every human needs.
We must always remember that any government which is
big enough to give us everything we want is also big enough to
take away everything we have.
Both our State and Federal systems are unique in the
separation of powers between three co-equal branches of govern-
ment. Some have called it the Executive System with exclusive
duties and jurisdictions reserved to each branch.
Out of this arrangement, particularly at the Federal level,
has arisen a relationship described as comity, which enables the
branches to perform smoothly in their respective roles. Comity
is not precise and it is difficult to define. It might be described
as a civility or courtesy that enables our representative system to
work. There is a great need that this principle remain strong.
-3-
Nationally the doctrine of comity has suffered in the last
decade for a number of reasons, including an avalanche of change.
This is especially true between the Executive and Legislative
branches. Our history has shown where the spirit of comity is
weakened, the effectiveness of our Federal system has been
weakened. This principle is particularly vital in the conduct of
foreign affairs and in the execution of the duties of the President
as Commander-in-Chief in providing for the national defense.
In the matters involving our intelligence community, for
example, in the transfer of highly sensitive documents from the
Executive Branch to the Legislative Branch, this can be more
successfully accomplished in the long run by the recognition and m.
exchange of comity than it can by legislation. This doctrine can
reach an area that neither a statute or an Executive Order can
adequately achieve.
-4-
We must not permit partisanship nor politics to erode away
a time tested means of promoting executive-legislative cooperation.
I am certain that the Congress will join with me in the
recognition and strengthening of this fundamental American principle
of government.
The revolution through which our forebearers lived, was
one of momentous change. Perhaps the greatest tribute that can be
paid to these men and women two centuries ago is through out that
difficult period of military strife civil order was maintained.
There existed the capacity to capture and retain something of
value. Order never dissolved into chaos and thereby destroy
the aspirations of a common cause.
The winds of change that swept away the old order in the
13 colonies did not SO destroy the civil and economic foundations
of society to preclude a new order being built on the cornerstone
-5-
of the old.
The Bicentennial rightfully should emphasize its three
themes of heritage, festivity and horizons. However, ultimately
our success in observing this great occasion shall not be gauged
by the events we commemorate in a proud past -- and this we
shall do.
Nor, shall it be measured by expositions, fairs and
fireworks that are fitting for the Nation's celebration -- and in
these people should join and enjoy.
Neither can it be realized in only plans and programs for
bold projects and public improvements in another decade. However,
the imagination and ingenuity of the American people should be
directed to that end.
Rather a meaningful observance of our Bicentennial is a
combination of these and more. It is the capture of a spirit,
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the seizing of an intangible. It is the essence of the Declaration
of Rights - - and the Declaration of Independence - - - and the
Federal Constitution.
These documents are something more than compacts of
government. They were, and still are, expressions of the
will and the spirit of a people. A people who took an unbelievable
risk for their future but ended up shaping a new destiny for a new
nation. They were unaware of the greatness they they had done -- - -
but we should not be.
President Adams observed: "The Revolution was effected
before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and
hearts of the people
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President Adams was describing the
spirit that was reflected in these documents.
1976 for us is a year for an Appeal to Greatness. A
resurgence of the American Spirit that has brought us to this
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point in Time and human achievement. A greatness that is
based on reason, responsibility and leadership. A greatness
based on individual opportunity and enlightenment. A greathess
that is reflected in the quality of our lives and the excellence
of what we produce.
A nation who beyond its shores is respected for the
things in which its people believe, rather than envied for the
things they have.
From this Appeal to Greatness if we respond -- and I
think we shall -- there shall be shared a century hence a common
destiny for all mankind. A destiny that draws its inspiration
from those institutions we honor in this place on this day.