The Tree of Liberty

"God forbid we should ever be 20 years without such a rebellion."

I’m sure many of the Americans who tune into this publication (and perhaps a few of the non-Americans!) are at least passively familiar with the famous quote from the author of the United States Constitution, which is “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” What they may not be familiar with, is the larger context of the quote, which I hope will give comfort to those who needlessly worry, and shore the spirits of those who prepare for whatever history will bring us next, for there is truly nothing new under the sun:

Wonderful is the effect of impudent and persevering lying. The British ministry have so long hired their gazetteers to repeat and model into every form lies about our being in anarchy, that the world has at length believed them, the English nation has believed them, the ministers themselves have come to believe them, and what is more wonderful, we have believed them ourselves. Yet where does this anarchy exist? Where did it ever exist, except in the single instance of Massachusets? And can history produce an instance of a rebellion so honourably conducted? I say nothing of it’s motives. They were founded in ignorance, not wickedness. God forbid we should ever be 20. years without such a rebellion.

The people can not be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. We have had 13. states independant 11. years. There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century and a half for each state. What country before ever existed a century and half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?

Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure.

-Letter from Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 1787

In these truly historic times, not much needs saying for those that already know. And for those who don’t know by now, nothing can be said that would ignite their lethargic souls. So for those who know, and are enjoying this incredible adventure of our time, here is one of my favorite Akira the Don Independence Day creations: