HAPPY 245TH BIRTHDAY, UNCLE SAM!

By Edwin Cooney

Tell me, how many other people do you know who became 245 years old this weekend? Did you wish him a happy birthday, and if you did, was it a wish, or a thought? Now if you think this is mere trivia and therefore doesn't matter, I can take you back to a time when one of America's most powerful and  important men, J. Edgar Hoover, insisted that "a wish is a father to a thought.” 

It was March of 1972 and one of the raging issues aside from the Vietnam War and the bussing of school children, especially amongst hungry liberal Democrats, was how long J. Edgar Hoover would hold onto his mighty office of Director of the FBI. One day, a CBS news reporter actually was able to confront Director Hoover, microphone in hand. The conversation went something like this: "Mr. Hoover, is it possible that you'll soon retire as FBI Director?" Director Hoover: "The wish is father to the thought!” Reporter: “What's that again?” Mr. Hoover: "The wish is father to the thought!" Reporter: "What does that mean?" Mr. Hoover: "Just exactly what I just said!" The interview was over. A little less than two months later, on Tuesday, May 2nd, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, after 48 years as FBI Chief, was dead of a heart attack at age 77.

Ever since that March day, I've wondered if a wish really and truly is father to a thought! So, if I take time out of my day of beer swilling, hotdog munching, sweet corn gnawing, and baseball game absorbing to wish Uncle Sam a happy 245th birthday, is my wish a "father to a further thought” or can it stand on its own?

Even more to the point in this age of fading national unity, what do I have to think and believe in order for my "happy birthday" wish to Uncle Sam to ring true? Must I believe that Joe Biden was corruptly elected president last November? Must I be a conformist or am I free to be a dissident? 

Like individuals, nations have birthdays that range from so-so to happy to very memorable! America's birth on July 4th, 1776 which was a Thursday, actually occurred two days earlier on Tuesday, July 2nd in the wake of Delaware delegate Caesar Rodney’s frantic and dramatic ride from his farm in Delaware to cast Delaware's vote for independence. “Caesar Rodney's ride for freedom” became official the instant he cast his vote that Tuesday, July 2nd, 1776. However, the Declaration of Independence became official the day that historic document was published which was the fourth of July, two days later. Hence, one might label America's actual birthday as both struggling and happy. After all, during the years between 1776 and 1781 (when Lord Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington at Yorktown, Maryland), its independence hung in the balance.

Metaphorically, most nations are given birth by the people who populate, nurture, defend and ultimately love them. Unlike those who give them birth, they only age when the generations who inherit their gifts fail to meet their ongoing needs or to the extent their people are unable to protect them from domination by their sister nations.

Just as individuals endure birthdays that are not always happy, the same is true of nations, even nations as great as the United States of America. Here are some examples: During the War of 1812, from Saturday, July 4th, 1812 through Monday, July, 4th, 1814, the United States saw much military humiliation. On Tuesday, July 2nd, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln suspended the privilege of habeas corpus throughout the Union due to the immediate threat of Confederate sympathizers during the Civil War. (Note: Habeas corpus is the right of those imprisoned to appear for a speedy trial following their arrest.) July 4ths during World War II were certainly less than happy American birthdays. I'm guessing that in view of the successful Normandy Invasion, Tuesday, July 4th, 1944 was a hopeful American birthday celebration. As for a few happy American birthdays, perhaps Saturday, July 4th, 1801, America's 25th anniversary, was happy since Thomas Jefferson, one of our major founders, was president. It's possible that Wednesday, July 4th, 1804 was a happy birthday because the Louisiana Purchase which vastly increased American territory as far west as the Pacific had been finalized and was about to be explored by Lewis and Clark. I'd guess that Monday, July 4th, 1921 was happy because by then women had the right to vote and, on that very day, President Warren Harding signed our peace treaty with Germany — between two golf games. (Note: since the Senate had rejected Woodrow Wilson's peace treaty containing the League of Nations, State Secretary Charles Evans Hughes negotiated a brand new treaty with Germany to officially end World War I for the American people. According to one Harding biographer, Harding signed the new treaty at New Jersey Senator Tom Freilinghuysen's dining room table while putting on fresh golfing clothes.)

Just as you and I are ultimately responsible for our happy birthdays, so are nations! People inevitably age, but nations only age when they won't agree to suspend some of their preconceptions which are necessary to bring about national unity and that ultimately spell domestic peace and equity.

Hence, happy 245th birthday Uncle Sam! It may not be easy this year to be happy, but we ought to at least be working on our national happiness to honor your birthday this weekend!

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

EDWIN COONEY