Letter from the Editors
No one reads Philip Freneau any more. But during the tempestuous years of America’s Founding, Freneau’s poetry spoke directly, proudly, and fiercely of the American’s desire for independence. Freneau’s poems were wildly popular, and one of his best, The Rising Glory of America (1771), nicely demonstrates the combination of Enlightenment ideas and traditional theology that were such a hallmark of 18th century America.
…the last, the bestOf countries where the arts shall rise and growLuxuriant, graceful; and ev’n now we boastA Franklin skill’d in deep philosophy,A genius piercing as th’ electric fire,Bright as the light’ning’s flash, explain’d so wellBy him, the rival of Britannia’s sage.This is a land of ev’ry joyous soundOf liberty and life; sweet liberty!Without whose aid the noblest genius fails,And science irretrievably must die.…This is a land where the more noble lightOf holy revelation beams, the starWhich rose from Judah lights our skies…
This Month's Further Reading and Listening
William B. Allen’s lead essay begins by referring to Kody Cooper and Justin Dyer’s book, Classical and Christian Origins of American Politics. In this month’s further reading and listening you’ll find a podcast interview with Cooper and Dyer, which makes a perfect partner to Allen’s piece. You’ll also find two other podcasts that explore the ideas of the Enlightenment, a Liberty Fund book that collects Founding era documents that address questions of theology, and, of course, a link to our ever-growing collection of Revolutionary War pamphlets.
Document Collection
The Pamphlet Debate on the American Question in Great Britain, 1764-1776
Countdown to the Declaration
New material every month as we explore the Declaration's past, present, and future.
13
months to go
Equality
Anything But Compromising
Writing a Declaration that could secure support required compromises and negotiations: How did these compromises chart the course of, or delay the recognition of equality for coming generations?
Political Institutions
Republican Government after the Digital Revolution
Does technology fundamentally alter the basis for representative government? Does it give us cause to reconsider the principles of the Declaration?
Philosophy & Theology
Against Authority
How important are religious and Enlightenment ideas to the concepts in the Declaration? Are these influences necessarily in conflict?
Political Economy
Economic Wisdom for Tumultuous Times
Why do we find ourselves refighting the same debates between open markets and mercantilism that preoccupied the 18th century?
Education
Educational Experience and the Challenge to Empire
What in the Founders’ education prepared them to be able to craft the Declaration? To what degree did it challenge the ideals of empire?
Liberty and Tyranny
Conditions of Revolution: Sic Sometimes Tyrannis
What sustains liberty? Does the Declaration offer a model for future political resistance to tyrants?
Find the full list of months, including archived and upcoming themes, on our Countdown page.
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