I don't recall in grammar school ever hearing that the subject of slavery was even in the mix when the Founding Fathers were debating the Declaration of Independence. The version I heard was a very clean and sanitized text book story that made it seem like a group of great men sat around a table, decided the British were a bunch of lousy thugs, and made history by creating a new nation all on their own.
It wasn't until the first time I watched the movie version of the musical "1776" that I knew that abolishing slavery was an actual provision of the original declaration, that said provision was forcibly removed by Southerners bound and determined to preserve their unique "lifestyle", and that American independence almost never materialized, not because of the redcoats, but because our own leaders almost sabotaged the whole deal.
It may seem silly to think of men like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin singing about independence, who should write the declaration, and what the national bird should be (eagle, turkey, or dove). It may seem like overkill to stress the magnitude of that moment, an historic, galvanizing time not just in American history but in world history. When a people said enough. We will stand on our own. We will fight for our rights. We will be free. But sometimes a movie - especially a well-done one - can crystallize things by presenting serious topics in an entertaining way.
At that time, freedom was a prickly subject particularly when it came to the thousands of people enchained across the South, most of them transported their via the North in the ill-gotten Triangular Trade. And while Adams and others felt keeping these people in chains was symbolically the very thing against which they were rebelling, Southern leaders felt just as strongly that their "peculiar tradition" was a way of life that was a necessity for their prosperity.
The delegates had to come to a resolution quickly or their dream of independence would be dashed forever. And they had to do so despite Adams' ability to annoy even his close friends, let alone his political enemies. In the song "But Mr. Adams", Jefferson goes so far as to suggest that Adams' obnoxious behavior is "driving me to homicide!"
Ultimately, the slavery clause was, in effect, scratched out of the Declaration. It would take another 90 years - and a massive, horrible civil war - to right that wrong. But the accomplishment achieved across those many hot days in Philadelphia should not be overlooked. Our leaders - <gasp> - compromised!! Sure, they fought, pouted, stamped their feet and walked out. But in the end, they recognized the political terrain in front of them and acted accordingly to achieve their primary goal - independence. Without it, nothing else matters.
It may be naive to draw inspiration from a nearly 40-year old musical about dead presidents and lawmakers giving a little bit (thank you, Supertramp) to gain a lot. But I can't help thinking that maybe our current Congress needs to sit down and watch this movie. They may see people not agreeing, but coming to an expedient accord for the betterment of the country. They may laugh at the preposterous provisions that some of the leaders wanted noted in the Declaration (deep sea fishing rights?). And maybe, just maybe, they may realize that part of the power of this country lies in our leaders' ability to come together, not to act like children playing in the sandbox who, because haven't gotten their way, storm off in a fit. The lost art of compromise, gentlemen!
Debt ceilings. Balanced budgets. Unemployment. Wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. These are all serious problems that (with all due respect to President Andrew Shepherd (and Aaron Sorkin) from "The American President") need serious leaders to solve them.
So Washington, put away the egos, stop holding your collective breaths and throwing tantrums, and embrace the idea of compromise. If the Founding Fathers could do that for the most important of ideas - independence - than why can't you? Sure, they didn't need to worry about getting re-elected. They were just worried about little things like, oh, treason and being hanged. Slight difference there.
Best get it together, Washington, or the problems of today will persist. And if that's the case, then some of our leaders are likely to be heard metaphorically singing another lyric from that comical "1776" song - "We may see murder yet!"
