Reflecting on the Declaration of Independence at 250 Years

As America approaches its 250th anniversary next month, there’s a palpable sense of national unease. Many feel that we’re losing a shared understanding of our identity and values.

Universities are actively debating whether equality is an inherent truth or a product of societal evolution. Public officials seem hesitant to uphold the natural rights philosophy that initially justified the American Revolution. Even the notion of a unifying national creed feels precarious.

Amidst this cultural unrest, one Supreme Court justice has dedicated over three decades to affirming the enduring significance of the Declaration of Independence. He believes that without its moral framework, the nation would struggle to survive.

Justice Clarence Thomas and the Declaration’s Legacy

Justice Clarence Thomas, the second-longest-serving member of the court, argues that the Declaration isn’t mere ceremonial language; it lays out the fundamental tenets of our republic. While elite circles may dismiss this perspective as outdated, it’s likely how the Founding Fathers viewed the document.

Thomas Jefferson referred to the Declaration as “an expression of the American heart.” Similarly, Abraham Lincoln described the nation as an “apple of gold,” with the Constitution serving as its protective “silver frame.” Figures like Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr. recognized its moral weight too.

The Founders didn’t create a purely democratic system. They apprehended the potential dangers of democracy, as noted by Elbridge Gerry, and intentionally established a constitutional republic to safeguard natural rights. The Constitution aims to protect these rights more effectively than the previous Articles of Confederation. Its true purpose is grounded in the Declaration’s principles.

Equality and natural rights form the backbone of the American experience, with the Constitution designed to uphold them.

Justice Thomas stands as the court’s most steadfast advocate for an originalist interpretation, particularly in matters of civil rights and equal treatment. He views constitutional guarantees, like equal protection and due process, through the lens of the Declaration’s moral commitments, rather than shifting political views.

In a pivotal 1995 government contract case, Thomas referenced the Declaration’s equality clause as a guiding principle, cautioning that racial paternalism contradicts the essential equality embedded in the Constitution. For more than three decades, he has maintained that the Constitution cannot support policies that enforce unequal treatment based on race. His significant opinion in the Harvard-UNC admissions case in 2023 reinforced this stance and influenced the current legal landscape.

This isn’t merely a nod to nostalgia; it embodies a commitment to constitutional integrity.

Natural Rights and the Role of Government

The Founders held that natural rights transcend governmental authority, that equality is a fundamental aspect of human nature, and the role of government is to secure those rights. For over 30 years, Thomas has reminded the country of this essential principle.

Critics often claim he clings to a dated interpretation of America. Ironically, his judicial philosophy is progressive, rooted in the very principle that enabled America to find its way forward.

In a time marked by discussions surrounding race, identity, and equality, Thomas’ clear understanding of the Declaration’s intent feels especially pertinent.

As the anniversary approaches, it presents a unique chance to reestablish this understanding. A nation firmly believing in the equality of all individuals must hold itself accountable to its ideals. With no belief in that equality, a nation lacks a standard for self-evaluation.

The Declaration of Independence transcends being just a historical document; it encapsulates a national mission that has driven every major reform movement in America. Reflecting on 250 years of independence, it’s noteworthy that one justice has persistently honored the principles that made this nation possible.

If America seeks to regain its sense of purpose after two and a half centuries, it must begin where Clarence Thomas has always stood: with the enduring truths of the Declaration of Independence.