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Citizens of the Republic,
There once was a vision of a city upon a hill. A city that was just. A city that was fair. A city that was free. A prosperous city. A peaceful city. An innovative city. A city of opportunity – where the only limits to personal achievement were set by the infinite boundaries of the human imagination.
A city whose art, whose science, whose technology, whose culture, whose institutions were admired by its friends, and envied by its enemies.
A city of promise. A city of purpose. A city of dreams. Then, one fateful day the city was attacked – and its towers fell.
Two decades later, through two wars, two economic downturns, and an ongoing global pandemic which has claimed the lives of more Americans than WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam combined – the cost in blood, treasure, and broken dreams – has been difficult to bear.
A city that once basked in the sun – fell into darkness – as an unending nightmare unfolded before our waking eyes.
Where once there was unity. Came discord. Where once there was love. Hate. Where once there was courage. Fear. Where once there was hope. Despair
– and with the cracks in our walls laid bare – our friends watched in disbelief, our enemies grew emboldened, and our leadership – in whom we had placed our trust, stood seemingly helpless and ineffectual against the rising tide of calamities battering our gates – and with our faith tested, shaken and in some cases, lost – our once shining beacon shone a little dimmer, a little duller – against the advancing darkness.
Until at last, the question which once would have been inconceivable was openly asked. Has our race been run? Has our song been sung? Is this the final chapter of our story?
No, it is not – for they know not the strength of our people.
Nor do they discern that common thread of resilience – woven into the intricate tapestry of our nation’s story – which can, and must, rouse us to the fore.
*
All nations rise and fall in history. Only dictators, tyrants, and despots boast to the multitudes that their regimes will last for a thousand years.
As a proponent of democracy, I make no such prognostications for our people. For all stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end.
Nevertheless, I will say this – if at some point in the future – the world was to enter a third dark age when the light of democracy was snuffed out, and jackboots of authoritarian thugs roamed the streets –
Somewhere, somewhen – a candle would be lit in a dark room – and around a crowded table a word would be whispered, America
– and in that moment our story, alongside the stories of our sister democracies, both upon the continent, and beyond the seas, would join a great pantheon of nations which stood for the basic principle, that “We the People,” can govern ourselves.
And as they tell our story, gazing upon the intricate tapestry of our people’s history, they will tell of our trials, and tribulations – of our faults, and failings, of our losses, and lamentations –
But – they will also tell the story of a city that strove, and failed, and strove, and failed again – and kept on striving – unflinching, unfaltering, and unfailing – in its sacred commission.
*
For once was a city upon a hill – that fell into darkness – but as the dawn broke – the city stirred, and its gates opened wide.
Where once there was discord. Came unity. Where once there was hate. Love. Where once there was fear. Courage. Where once there was despair. Hope.
For this city was filled with renewed purpose. It was bolstered by restored promise.
It was revitalized – for as its paladins rode out once more upon the lists – it was a city that stood for justice.
It was a city that championed the basic tenet “that all […] are created equal,” and as such – should not be judged based upon their gender, color, creed, or condition, but rather – they should be judged based upon their merit.
It was a city that stood for fairness, not only in the treatment of its own but in its comportment towards others.
It was a city that stood for freedom – in a world where authoritarian regimes peddle the insidious lie that only the one or the few must rule over the many.
It was a prosperous city, which reaped a bountiful harvest not only for its own but gave generously to others.
It was a city which stood for peace – but did not falter or fail to stand in the breach to defend its principles or its friends.
It was an innovative city, which did not rest upon its laurels, for small steps, as well as great leaps, only manifest upon new and distant horizons.
It was a city of opportunity, which unleashed the full might and power of human potential – whose capacity for achievement – knew no bounds.
It was a city which advanced the arts, the sciences, and technology to new, and ever greater heights.
It was a city that was admired not for accolades perceptively owed – but for its humility, its humanity, its kindness, its patience, its tolerance, its generosity, and its diligence towards the commission of its labors.
It was a city determined – to make its impossible dream – a reality.
For whilst it readily acknowledged that imperfect man, is incapable of perfect governance, it stood for the fundamental tenet, that democracy produces the most fertile soil for humanity to flourish – and reach its utmost potential.
As I have previously said, all nations rise and fall in history. Only dictators, tyrants, and despots boast to the multitudes that their regimes will last for a thousand years.
As a proponent of democracy, I make no such prognostications for our people.
All I can say is this – one day our country may fall, but it is not this day – it is not this hour – it is not this minute – it is not this second.
For we, the people, through the sweat of our brow, and the courage of our conviction will garner every second – every minute – every hour – and every day – that we can derive.
Citizens of the Republic, our city has not yet begun to rise.
For we still have so much more work left to do – for the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of those who came before us – and those who will come after us – remain unfulfilled.
Fear not the darkness. For it is always darkest before the dawn – and let us together, build our city, brick by brick, generation by generation.
For our race is not yet run. Our song is not yet sung – and we – not the naysayers, will be the final arbiters of our story.
This is James David Miller. Signing Off.
Relinquishing the stage but not the field. Be well, be safe, stay strong, and keep the faith America.
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