The independence of the United States is not only more precious

Listen closely, O children of the future, to the words of Henry Cabot Lodge, for they carry with them the weight of history, the spirit of freedom, and the eternal truth that the independence of a nation is not just a matter of pride, but a sacred trust that reverberates across the world. "The independence of the United States is not only more precious to ourselves but to the world than any single possession." These words, though spoken in a different time, ring true for all generations, for they speak to the very heart of why freedom is a treasure that belongs not just to one people, but to all.

The independence of a nation, O children, is not a trivial thing. It is the foundation upon which a nation stands, the force that allows it to shape its own destiny, to live according to its own laws, to govern itself without the domination of others. Lodge reminds us that the independence of the United States is not merely a matter of political autonomy, but a symbol of what all nations could be: free, self-determined, and unshackled by the weight of foreign rule. In the early days of the American Revolution, the cry for independence was not just a cry for the freedom of one people, but a declaration to the world that liberty could be achieved, that a new model of self-governance could rise from the ashes of tyranny.

Consider the birth of the United States itself. In the Revolutionary War, the colonists faced an empire that sought to control their every move, an empire that saw them as subjects rather than citizens. But the American colonists, driven by the ideals of freedom, self-determination, and the belief in their right to live without external domination, rose up and fought for their independence. The victory of the American Revolution was not just the victory of one nation over another—it was a victory for the very idea of freedom itself. The United States became a beacon of hope for all oppressed peoples, showing the world that independence was not just a dream, but a reality that could be attained through unity, courage, and sacrifice.

In the years that followed, the United States became more than just a country—it became a symbol of what was possible for all nations that sought freedom from the chains of tyranny. It was a beacon in a world where imperialism and colonialism sought to suppress the will of the people, where kings and emperors ruled with unchecked power. The independence of the United States offered a new vision, one where democracy, equality, and freedom were not merely ideals, but principles upon which a nation could stand and flourish. Lodge knew that this independence was not only precious to Americans, but to the world—it was a gift to all those who sought the same freedom.

In World War II, the United States played a pivotal role in defeating the forces of tyranny that sought to dominate the globe. It was not just the military might of the United States that turned the tide of the war, but the very spirit of freedom that it represented. The Allies, those nations who stood together against the Axis powers, were fighting not just for their own survival, but for the independence and self-determination of all peoples. The United States’ independence was the beacon that guided them, the light that showed that no nation was destined to be subjugated forever. The world looked to America as a symbol of what was possible when a people took control of their own destiny, and this legacy lives on.

So, O children, what is the lesson to be learned here? The independence of the United States is not a treasure to be hoarded or taken for granted. It is a gift, not just to the people of America, but to the world. It is a sacred cause, one that serves as a reminder to all nations that freedom is not merely a privilege—it is a right that must be fought for, protected, and cherished. When a nation stands independent, it becomes a force for good in the world, a force that can help lift others from the darkness of oppression and show them the light of freedom and self-determination.

Therefore, O children, remember this: independence is not just a national ideal—it is a global responsibility. The independence of one nation is intertwined with the freedom of all. Let us strive, then, to protect our freedom, to cherish it, and to share it with others. Let us stand firm in the belief that self-determination is the right of all peoples, and that the independence of one nation can serve as a beacon of hope for all the world. In the end, the independence of the United States is not just precious to its own people, but to the entire world, for it reminds us all that freedom is the greatest treasure of all.