Ben Gilman and
Independence Day

Do all Americans view our independence in the same light as those who most benefit from our system of government?

Would, for example, the average Native American living on a reservation find the same soaring points in oratory as the type of Independence Day speaker Norman Rockwell might have portrayed. Would the survivor of the Japanese-American internment camps of World War II, or Black people who lived through the “Jim Crow” years in the South, or, for that matter, today’s Middle Eastern-Americans of the Muslim faith?

The winners are ones who celebrate, the cynics say ‘It’s their system and they’re on top. They have reason to celebrate.’

How then would an Independence Day message sound from one who has every reason for bitterness against the political system. One who might have given a lifetime of service to our system only to find himself as its apparent victim. Would he even bother?

For decades, Ben Gilman has been the guy on top, the one who has seen his investment in the system flourish as attorney, assistant NYS Attorney General, state Assemblyman, member of the House of Representative, House committee chairman. Presidents stopped to shake his hand after addressing Congress.

These days, though, if you haven’t followed it, Gilman, at 79, has been deemed “too old” by the powers-that-be and they’re trying to ease him out of office by making his district disappear during the census-mandated realignment of districts.

Many insiders say he’s already as good as gone, but they’ve said that about him before. Gilman’s fighting back and he’s proven pretty durable in past.

Still facing bleak and busy times, one might not be surprised if a disenfranchised or disillusioned Gilman skipped his Independence Day message or slanted it to reflect his ongoing travail. Decide for yourself.

“The Fourth of July is not only a celebration of our nation’s independence, but also for our nation being a beacon of liberty and justice throughout the entire world.

As our nation engages in our war against terrorism, it is fitting that we celebrate our freedoms and honor those who are out there on the front line defending our liberty, justice and democracy.

Over the past few months, we’ve witnessed the goodness of the American people. We witnessed our dedicated, heroic firefighters, police and rescue personnel, giving of themselves and sacrificing their lives in protecting our communities, our neighbors and friends. We’ve also witnessed our courageous armed forces, freeing the people of Afghanistan. We joined together, providing comfort and support to the 9/11 victims’ families with billions of dollars of donations.

Independence Day is a time for us to gather together to celebrate our Declaration of Independence, which has become a model for so many peoples throughout the world.

Independence Day is also an important opportunity for all of us to renew our dedication to our historic principles of liberty, justice and equality.

While our Declaration of Independence announced to the world our decision declaring ourselves free and independent states, its greater meaning is its statement of the underlying goals of our government: the sovereignty of our people; and ‘that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’

What is significant and revolutionary about our Declaration of Independence is not just that a representative group of Americans declared their independence, but that they did so by promising to base our new government on a universal standard of justice: ‘That all men are created equal.’

From the women of Afghanistan, who have lifted their veils for the first time in five brutal years, to the children of Africa, who are suffering disease and hunger, and to those persecuted in some oppressive regimes for their faith, the ringing phrases of our Declaration of Independence speak out to all those who strive for liberty and justice, and who seek to adopt the principles of freedom and self-government.

It was John Adams, a signer of the Declaration, who stated, on the 50th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, two words that still convey our great hope every Fourth of July: “Independence forever.”

Happy birthday and God Bless America, and God Bless you all.”

– Ben Gilman

Unquestionably, there are many Americans, past and present, with rightful grievances against our system. With the bipartisan gerrymandering efforts being made to strip him of his career, Ben Gilman qualifies as one of them.

Without doubt there have been and are Americans, who under similar circumstances, might find partisan or harsher words. Ben Gilman is not one of them.

There is probably no better measure of a person’s character than viewing their actions in bad times. Despite the results of the next election, we’re willing to bet Ben Gilman’s 2003 Independence Day remarks will still be those of a true patriot.

David Hulse, News Editor