Next year, America will celebrate the semiquincentennial of the most important document in establishing liberty as the touchstone for justice across the world. The Declaration of Independence not only transformed—and perhaps created—American political thought, but transformed global political thought. Following the American precedent, sixty-five countries declared independence from British rule. Every northern state in the Union, following the theory of the Declaration, and often on July 4th to signal adherence to its theory, freely established systems for abolition. Thus, it is fitting and proper that we take a close look at the words that changed the world.
The opening phrase of the first sentence of the Declaration of Independence contains two important words too often overlooked: “unanimous” and “united.” Perhaps a more fitting title for the document would be “The Unanimous Declaration of Independence.” Why did the framers include this word?
“Unanimous”—a compound of the Latin words “unus” (one) and “animus (mind/soul/spirit)—means “of one mind.” The delegates in the Continental Congress were painstaking in ensuring they themselves were “of one mind” and that the people they represented were “of one mind” with respect to independence.
Unanimity was necessary because being “of one mind” was essential to being “united” in defense of inalienable natural rights as they took up arms. Without the philosophic agreement, there could not be political agreement to finance and fight the war. Political action always stems from philosophy. Such political combination was essential because the delegates pledged their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor”—in other words, everything in their lives containing value.
Politically, how did the colonies become “united” and “of one mind”? Over ninety declarations supporting independence were sent from the people of the states from April to July. Unanimity began with the people themselves; however, the people’s wishes had to be represented and considered by representatives for legitimacy. Democracy was not enough; republicanism and sustained deliberation were necessary for joint action.
Despite popular support for independence, some colonies hesitated: New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware were wary of independence into May. Pennsylvania was considered the “keystone” for declaring independence; however, on May 1 an anti-independence campaign in Pennsylvania filled the Pennsylvania Assembly with anti-independence representatives. The Continental Congress passed a resolution on May 10 asking colonies to create state “government sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs.” John Adams wrote a preamble stating “it is necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority under the said crown should be totally suppressed.”
On that same day, Virginia’s state convention wrote to Richard Henry Lee “to declare the United Colonies free and independent States” within the Continental Congress. Lee presented this idea in a three-part resolution on June 7, seconded by John Adams.
Delegates from Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, and New York were still unauthorized by their colonial assemblies to vote for independence, so on June 10th the Continental Congress voted to postpone voting on Lee’s resolution for three weeks. Throughout those weeks, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Delaware authorized their delegates to vote for independence. Pennsylvania and New Jersey chose to dissolve their governing bodies, with New Jersey stating that Royal Governor Franklin was “an enemy to the liberties of this country.”
By the end of June, Maryland and New York were the only representatives unauthorized to vote for independence. Samuel Chase travelled to Maryland and presented local efforts on behalf of independence; Maryland endorsed independence on June 28. British forces approached the New York Provincial Congress on June 30, forcing evacuation. Britain’s conduct, therefore, foreclosed any reasonable arguments contrary to independence.
The Declaration of Independence was a unanimous document because the people of the states and their representatives worked together—through the nation’s existing self-governing bodies at all levels—to ensure unanimity regarding independence. Although the United States government had yet to be established, the people self-governed and the result was a widespread acceptance of independence predicated on the self-evident truth that “all men are created equal” and that government by arbitrary force is illegitimate.
Although many attribute the revolution to taxes or tea, the primary reason for independence was self-government. Americans were unanimous on the issue of the right to self-government, and the practice of self-government drove them to philosophic and political unanimity, and finally to war.
An 1842 conversation with Levi Preston (a Massachusetts Minute-Man) helps clarify the causes. Regarding stamps, he said, “I never saw one.” Regarding tea he said, “I never drank a cup of the stuff.” Instead, he emphasized: “Young man. . . What we meant in going for those Redcoats was this: we always had governed ourselves, and we always meant to govern ourselves. They didn't mean we should.”