Declaration of Independence Marked Nation’s Birth, Not the Constitution

One of the most regrettable developments of this summer in the United States is the way in which certain commentators have tried to pit the spirit of Juneteenth against the spirit of July 4, as if the two were in tension with one another.

In fact, they are not. The essential concord that exists between the two holidays has been pointed out by other writers who stress that the final extirpation of slavery on Juneteenth was a follow-through on the promises and principles of July 4, not a repudiation of them. But in fact, the events of July 4, 1776, relate to the demise of slavery on these shores in a much more specific and technical way than this true but simple narrative of straightforward prophecy and fulfillment suggests.

About the Author

Cameron Hilditch

Cameron Hilditch was a 2020-2021 William F. Buckley Fellow in Political Journalism at National Review Institute.

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Declaration of Independence

One of the most regrettable developments of this summer in the United States is the way in which certain commentators have tried to pit the spirit of Juneteenth against the spirit of July 4, as if the two were in tension with one another.

In fact, they are not. The essential concord that exists between the two holidays has been pointed out by other writers who stress that the final extirpation of slavery on Juneteenth was a follow-through on the promises and principles of July 4, not a repudiation of them. But in fact, the events of July 4, 1776, relate to the demise of slavery on these shores in a much more specific and technical way than this true but simple narrative of straightforward prophecy and fulfillment suggests.