Continental Congress adopted this statement on July 4, 1776. It announced independence of the thirteen colonies of America, which were under Great Britain, and thus they had then formed the USA, which was then a new nation. John Adams became a vibrant leader in struggling for independence, and it was approved in July 2. The document had already been drafted by a committee of the congress voting on independence.
The Independence Declaration was not primarily written to guard the "self-evident" fact that all human beings were created equal and thus they possess rights that are unalienable (John 1). It is much argued that the Declaration was based on Christian values and many Christian believers believe that America was founded on Christian values. They do subscribe to the thought that the act of declaring America as an independent nation originated directly from God and that the people’s pursuit of a happy life was instituted by the creator (John 1).
Actually, the information above is opposed by the motivation behind the declaration during the eighteenth century. So to say, it completely misses the primary intention that the document was aimed for. For all efforts placed by the Christian conservatives to interpret the original intention of the United States Constitution, very little effort has been there as it regards comprehending the purpose and meaning of the independence declaration as it was intended by the founders (John 01).
Most would nod to the fact that the Independence Declaration was not a religious or a theological document, and neither was the document designed to educate Americans and world in general on matters concerning human rights. The document’s second paragraph has really puzzled many Americans that they completely miss the aim of the document, as it was understood by members of Continental Congress, the team of the writers, and the document’s chief writer, Jefferson Thomas. From the American Revolution perspective, the Independence Declaration was just the document it was supposed to be “a declaration for independence” on assertion of becoming free from the British, and an affirmation of the American sovereignty on the globe (John 01).
Obama in his second inauguration speech says that each time the American people gather for presidential inauguration, they bear witness to the lasting strength associated with their Constitution. They affirm promise of their democracy. They always remember that what bind them together are not the tenets of their faith or their skin color or the origin of their names. He says that what makes them unique is the allegiance they accord to the declaration that was made two centuries ago (New York Times).
Obama says that America will defend her people, upholding their values via strength of the arms and the rule of the law. He continues to say that they will exhibit courage by trying to resolve differences with the other nations amicably, not because of naivety on the dangers faced but simply because engagement durably lifts fear and suspicion. He attests that America will continue to be the anchor for strong treaties across the globe; and that they will renew the institutions that do extend their capacity in order to manage crisis overseas, for there is no one with greater stake in a world full of peace than most of the powerful nations. He says that democracy should and will be supported across the globe, for the interests of America and their conscience compel them to act for those longing for freedom. Thus America should be a foundation of hope for the sick, the poor, the marginalized, and victims of injustice, not just as a way of sheer charity, but due to the fact that peace in this present times require constant advancement those principles described by the common creed: opportunity and tolerance; justice and human dignity (New York Times).
Obama’s speech is embedded on the historical information that the Declaration of Independence bore and the founding pillars of the United States Constitution. He truly believes that these two documents are the source of the citizens’ unity and the zeal to yearn for a great nation. As he closes his speech, he urges everyone to embrace what they term as their enduring birthright with unending devotion and joy. With common purpose and common effort, with dedication and passion, and everyone should be ready to echo the historical call to march forward with a precious freedom light into that uncertain future (New York Times).
The Preamble explains why the original colonies distanced themselves from the mother country to form an independent nation. The People of United States came together for a purpose. There was the need to form a strong union and justice was imperative, there was the urge to build a good government and enact laws that would ensure tranquility. As well as making sure, there was peace in their homes providing common defense. The peoples believe that security of a nation promoted the welfare generally, the need for a healthy community and to secure blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity (Oncle 2006). All these factors narrowed down to one specific goal, that of ordaining, establishing and giving authority to the constitution, making it the top most law of the US.
Worth noting is that, the preamble does not give any power to any department in the federal government. Supreme Court of the United States most of the time refers it as the evidence of scope, origin, and the purpose for the Constitution (Oncle 2006). Joseph Story said in his writings that, the purpose of the preamble is to explain in depth the nature as well as the extent and the applicability of the supremacy affirmed by the constitution but not creating them. For instance, the preamble states one of its objectives as that of provision for a common defense. Undoubtedly, this amplifies not the Congress powers to pass measures that seem so necessary for common defense. But if for example terms for a given power allow of two rulings, one a bit restrictive, then the other a bit liberal, then each of the two is in sync with the preamble. However, it is a requirement governed by intent of power, so if one is in favor and then the other defeats common defense, probably not former, upon soundest values of interpretation, should be adopted.
The three sections above have one thing in common that, they are strongly embedded to the United States Constitution. They all seem to affirm the Declaration for Independence that was instituted many years ago by the founders of the nation.
Works Cited
John Fea, ‘Confessing History; The Original Intent of the Declaration of Independence’, March 09, 2011 retrieved from http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Original-Intent-of-the-Declaration-of-Independence-John-Fea-03-09-2011.html
The New York Times, ‘Obama’s Second Inaugural Speech’, January 21, 2013, Retrieved from, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/21/us/politics/obamas-second-inaugural-speech.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Uscitizenpod.com, ‘A Summary of the US Constitution’, 2011, pg. 1, Retrieved from, http://www2.waketech.edu/blogs/elcivics/files/2011/03/summary-of-the-US-Constitution.pdf
