Blest Be the Tie That Binds

America:  Blest Be the Tie That Binds

 
In Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, delivered on March 4, 1865, he offered these words of unity to a nation torn asunder: 
 
“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
 
In a carefully coordinated effort, the majority of Presidential Foundations and Centers issued a joint statement last September (09/07/2023) concerning the future of our nation. In a thoughtful declaration, they reaffirm our nation’s commitment to the democratic values on which our republic was founded.  Reaffirming our original democratic republic's core foundational values designed by the founders in the Age of Enlightenment and Reason.
 
In a world continuously tested by division and disagreement, it is rare to see multiple, sometimes divergent, forces come together in unity.  Yet, the statement released by thirteen presidential centers, representing the legacies of presidents across a broad spectrum of American history, is a reminder that certain ideals remain sacrosanct — even in the tumultuous arena of American politics.
 
The underpinning principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—eloquently enshrined in the Declaration of Independence—are not just mere words.  They are the guiding stars, the threads woven into a tapestry of American identity over the centuries.  From the suffrage movement to the civil rights era, these principles have been both a beacon and a benchmark.  They illuminate the heights America can achieve and expose the chasms it sometimes slips into.
 
America's strength lies not in its homogeneity but its ability to embrace diversity.  It is a nation of myriad backgrounds and beliefs, yet united under the grand canopy of democracy.  This canopy, rooted in the rule of law, has sheltered the country through storms of disagreement and debate, ensuring all rights remain protected. As the statement suggests, living within such a vibrant community underscores the vital need for compassion, tolerance, and respect.
 
But democracy is not a spectator sport.  It demands the active participation of its citizenry.  When thirteen presidential centers, each with distinct viewpoints and priorities, rally around the cause of democracy, it underscores an elemental truth: differences in perspective can coexist harmoniously, provided they are grounded in democratic principles.
 
The tumultuous terrain of politics thrives on debate and disagreement.  Yet, as emphasized in the statement, civility must remain its heartbeat.  The discourse must be respectful, even during an election year's heat.  Words can wound as much as they can heal.  When the world looks upon the United States, it should see a house and a home united despite disagreements.
 
There's an outward dimension to this unity, too.  As the statement astutely notes, a free society abroad can contribute to security and prosperity at home.  But to export democracy, America's heart must be free from turmoil.  The world, with its rapid pace of transformation, cannot wait, making it imperative for America to heal at home while extending support abroad simultaneously.
 
The duty of nurturing and preserving this democracy doesn't rest solely on the shoulders of elected officials, though their role is paramount.  Every citizen from every walk of life has a part to play.  Participating in civil dialogues, respecting democratic institutions, ensuring elections remain untainted, and contributing to the collective betterment of society are duties incumbent upon every American.
 
The joint declaration by these presidential centers serves as more than just a statement—it's a clarion call to rally around the principles that gave birth to a nation.  A call to protect freedoms hard won.  A call to recognize and respect fellow citizens.  America finds its strength and soul in such unity, becoming an enduring beacon of hope in a fracturing world.
 
The act of these 13 foundations coming together is a testament to the enduring power of democracy.  As the nation's history has shown, when America unites, it does not just progress—it inspires and thrives.   

Indeed, America's essence--its binding tie—is our democracy and our commitment to unity amidst diversity in a pluralistic society.  The unwavering call for unity remains through the din of differing voices and the cacophony of evolving times across all generations.  The coalition of these presidential centers is but a manifestation of our unyielding spirit as Americans.  As Lincoln once beckoned, the task before America is to strive to bind up the nation's wounds, cherishing a just and lasting peace.
 
This singular act will undoubtedly stand tall in the corridors of history and the annals of politics.  Not as a testament to political unanimity but a reminder of an unyielding commitment to democratic principles and the delicate threads that have bound, and will continue to tie and bind, the American fabric together.  This is who we are as a nation and a people.
 
These times, rife with division and uncertainty, beckon every American to return to the foundations, to remember the threads that have intricately woven the nation's story.  In heeding this call, America does not merely survive—it thrives, renews, and leads.   American politics must step back from the present trend to embrace a religious fundamentalist autocracy and theocracy based on only one faith, denomination, and interpretation of scripture. We must reaffirm and rededicate our commitment to America as a democracy and democratic republic seeking a more perfect union.

Our pluralism across America should be valued for all the talents and resources it offers the nation.   We must remember this heritage.  It is one that honors and embraces E Pluribus Unum - Out of Many, One.

—Ron Starbuck
Saint Julian Press, Inc.
Publisher/CEO/Executive Editor

Saint Julian Press Suggested Readings & Books
 
 
Echoes of Barmen
 
Hope Over Fear
 
An American Experiment: A Saint Julian Press Retelling
 
We Must Think and Act Anew
 
America: Blest Be the Tie That Binds
 
From Dogma to Democracy: How Enlightenment Ignited the American Spirit
 
The Radical Love of Jesus: A Call for Compassion
 
We Are Citizens of the World
 
We Must Disenthrall Ourselves
 
A Threat to American Democracy
 
The Shining City Upon the Hill
 
Citizen — C. Andrew Doyle (Ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas)
 
And There Was Light — Jon Meacham