I have often thought that inauguration day should be a national holiday. Not to welcome the new president or thank the past president but to celebrate the transfer of power. It is truly a wonderful thing that a nation diverse and divided in philosophy, theology, ethnicity, sociology, and political ideology can accomplish this feat as we do.
Consider the lines drawn this past year, the opposing positions taken sometimes with vile oathes issuing forth. Yet, on this day we agree to transfer the power of office peacefully and completely. There is no bid to change the law to allow a President for Life, no poisoning, tanks at the White House, or coup of any kind.
None of this would be possible without the will of the people to make it so. We expect much from our leaders, and in many ways we are in the end disappointed that they do not deliver. Even so, they do carry out their responsibility to leave their positions if we tell them by our vote that they must do so. This is an accomplishment of a nation of laws and a population of law abiders. This is an ideal that has no equal and is shared by precious few nations. Most importanty this happens because you and I expect and demand it.
Today is a day of celebration. Not for a man but for free men. Not for an idea but for the right to express that idea. Not for a party but for the individual. This is a day to celebrate being an American, for saying to the world we are proud to be Americans, for demonstrating that great societies display great behavior and that great peoples practice greatness intheir governments.
Men are turned to dust before their actions are recognized in history. Nations are the stewards of that history.
Allen, you’re one heck of a class act!
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