How Much Is All This Worth?

Many years ago Daniel Webster recalled a question: “How much is all this worth?” he asked.¹ As to liberty, or the lack of it, whatever the price, it is priceless, and the difference cannot be calculated.

How much is it worth to live where one wishes? to work at what one wishes? to worship as one wishes? How much is it worth to have the right to live with loved ones? to listen to the laughter of children? to be unafraid of approaching footsteps? to walk home and find the welcome of beloved faces unafraid?

How much is it worth to own personal property? to have personal privacy? How much is it worth to preserve human dignity? How much is it worth to choose leaders? to vote in an open and honest election? to have a voice in making and administering the laws of the land?

How much is it worth to come and to go, to think and to speak, to read and to search? to have an education offered everyone? How much is it worth freely to express an opinion, fearlessly to move from place to place, with an openness of life, a free ranging of the mind; enjoyment of the great and good earth, with peace of mind and quiet conviction?

Despite all encroachments on freedom, and all unwise giving up of some rights, still blessed beyond belief, still precious beyond price, is the freedom our forebears paid for⎯the freedom which is God-given, which yet has to be everlastingly earned over and over again, and can never safely be permitted to become commonplace.

How much is all this worth? All this must be worth the willingness to work, to defend, to be a loyal participating part, to live with honor, justice; to respect the law, and to keep the commandments⎯for “No free government,” wrote Andrew Jackson, “can stand without virtue in the people and a lofty spirit of patriotism . . . “²

Thank god for liberty and for the privilege of preserving it at any price.