Jefferson & Adams, July 4, 1826

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, both founding fathers, died
hours apart on JULY 4, 1826- Our nation’s 50th anniversary.

In this, an excerpt from his last correspondence, Jefferson gracefully declines an invitation to DC for the 50th, while reasserting the intention of the Revolution–with its living purpose for all:

May it be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts
sooner, to others later, but finally to all,) the signal of arousing men
to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had
persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and
security of self-government. That form which we have substituted,
restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom
of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. The
general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every
view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with
saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to
ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. These are grounds of hope
for others. For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever
refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion
to them.

Adam’s last words were,

Jefferson still survives.

What a country!
Happy Fourth,
Kelly