Why it's great to be independent

I just came across a post at Powerline blog that clearly articulates why we as Americans are justifiably proud on this day - the 4th of July.

It references an Independence Day speech by Abraham Lincoln in 1858 regarding his ideological stance on slavery (and institutional racism for that matter) that eventually lead to its abolition after he was elected President.

Excerpt:

I should like to know if taking this old Declaration of Independence, which declares that all men are equal upon principle and making exceptions to it where will it stop. If one man says it does not mean a negro, why not another say it does not mean some other man? If that declaration is not the truth, let us get the Statute book, in which we find it and tear it out! Who is so bold as to do it!

Read the whole thing at Powerline.