A Special Fourth of July Column Comes Thursday Morning
We are giving our staff the day off to celebrate America's independence with their families and loved ones.
By Martin Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Email Martin
What does the Fourth of July mean to our friends across the pond?
Tomorrow morning, popular humorist Drew Gallagher puts that question to a Brit visiting Fredericksburg for Traitors Day (otherwise known here as Independence Day).
It’s a light-hearted way to begin your Fourth.
Once the giggle die down, we encourage our readers to take in the following extraordinary piece that appeared recently in the Washington Post.
Penned by one of America’s pre-eminent historians, Gordon S. Wood, the column asks: What explains the genius of the American Founders?
In part, he answers the question thus:
America’s revolutionary leaders — by English standards, minor gentry at best — worked hard to adopt the new liberal characteristics that had come to define what it meant to be truly civilized — politeness, taste, sociability, learning, compassion and benevolence — and also what it meant to be good political leaders: an aversion to corruption and courtier-like behavior.
Good food for thought this Independence Day, as we head into a fall that is going to test how much we today value politeness, taste, sociability, learning, compassion, and benevolence.
Happy Fourth from everyone at the Advance. Enjoy Drew’s Thursday morning column, reflect on what has made America what it is, and enjoy a Fourth with those you most love. That’s what we’ll be doing.
We’ll be back on Friday with the high-quality, hard-hitting journalism you’ve come to expect from FXBG Advance.
Sincerely,
Marty
Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
Local Obituaries
To view local obituaries or to send a note to family and loved ones, please visit our website at the link that follows.
Support Award-winning, Locally Focused Journalism
The FXBG Advance cuts through the talking points to deliver both incisive and informative news about the issues, people, and organizations that daily affect your life. And we do it in a multi-partisan format that has no equal in this region. Over the past month, our reporting was:
First to report on a Spotsylvania School teacher arrested for bringing drugs onto campus.
First to report on new facility fees leveled by MWHC on patient bills.
First to detail controversial traffic numbers submitted by Stafford staff on the Buc-ee’s project
Provided extensive coverage of the cellphone bans that are sweeping local school districts.
And so much more, like Clay Jones, Drew Gallagher, Hank Silverberg, and more.
For just $8 a month, you can help support top-flight journalism that puts people over policies.
Your contributions 100% support our journalists.
Help us as we continue to grow!
Happy Independence Day and enjoy your well deserved day to celebrate. The Fredericksburg Advance has been a fabulous news source and you are appreciated.