JOHN Adams once wrote: "Know thyself is as useful a precept to nations as to men." If the celebration of the Bicentennial anniversary of our American republic is to have any meaning and not be merely flag-waving, one-minute TV spots, and patriotic July 4 lip service, it should lead us in a search for national self-knowledge. The Bicentennial setting directs us to look to the past, and whatever our present political failings, we can do this with pride and joy. Moreover, if we look backwards to the universal principles inherent in the foundation of the United States, we may find vision and strength to face the tasks of the present and future. Is it not a mistake to believe that the strength of a nation is embodied in its power? National strength, it seems to me, resides as much in principle and vision, as in power. Moreover, power when misused is destructive, and it may be more destructive of the user than the victim. In fact, the more powerful a nation, the greater the danger that abuse of power, both in internal and external affairs, may be self-destructive.

Our Founding Fathers, certainly the leaders among them, were intellectually men of the age of the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment was characterized by its universalism, the affirmation of universal principles in human affairs, and a cosmopolitan vision of mankind. This universalism is manifestly evident in the Declaration of Independence, and hence in our origin as a national state.

This American republic was founded in a highly exceptional way. Most nations and states have deep ethnic, linguistic, and territorial roots in a remote and obscure past.