Ambassador

Ambassador Karl Hofmann's Speech at Fourth of July Reception, Lome, 2001

     In 1776, as we were fighting for independence from the British, those who have come to be known as our "founding fathers" set down some important ideas.

     And although it is true that the United States has been blessed over the years with fertile land and all sorts of natural resources, it is these ideas which are the true source of whatever strength and influence we have today.

     We were, as Americans, in other words, extremely lucky, from a very early time in our history, to have had enlightened leaders who understood some basic truths about their people, and in fact about all people.

     The Declaration of Independence that these founding fathers signed in 1776 was their articulation of natural law.  "We hold these truths to be self-evident," they wrote.  "That all men are created equal.  That they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights.  That among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."  And so on.

     It was only on the basis of these self-evident truthts - that all people are equal before God, and that governments only had legitimate right to rule with the consent of the governed - that we justified our actions to overthrow the British crown, and the system of laws and government that went with it.

     But articulating these truths was not enough to create a blueprint for government.

     For this, it would take us many more years.  First the Articles of Confederation in 1781, and finally our Constitution in 1787.

     Only then, through a remarkable series of political compromises, careful balancing of interests, and recognition of the need to limit government's power, would we hit on the formula that has served us very well for these last two and a quarter centuries.

     Whereas the Declaration of Independence captured the inherent power ofmen (and women) to control their own destinies, the Constitution captured the need to limit these powers in the interest of the common good.

     The Constitution enshrined our protection for the views of the minority, and prevented the tyranny of the majority.

      Its authors realized that runaway injustice and foolishness on the part of the majority were quite possible, even probable in democracies, unless the rights of the minority were scrupulously protected.

     Over the past 200 years, have we Americans always lived up to these ideals?  No.  Far f rom it.

     We strive even today to remember that the inalienable rights of all people do not flow from the government; it is instead our government that functions only at the indulgence and with the consent of our citizens.

     And we still forget sometimes that the majority in any democracy has a tendency to runaway injustice and foolishness, and the views of the opposing minority must be protected, and must be heard.

     But this is not only America's challenge, nor only America's destiny.

     We believe these are questions for all people around the world.

     In Togo, which we have been proud to count a friend of ours for over 100 years, you face an important crossroads in the months ahead, as you approach legislative elections.

     Will the views of all Togolese find the light of day in these elections?  Will whatever majority emerges respect, and even seek out the views of the minority?  Will government here allow individual citizens to feel the freedom and the responsibility that is their birthright?

     We Americans think they should.

     These are the standards to which we try and hold our own leaders.  We often fail.  But we are bold enough, or lucky enough, to believe that these are universal standards.

     The road to a more perfect democracy is long, and arduous.  But it is the shortest path to prosperity and happiness.  We will walk this road with anyone who shares these goals.

     I ask that you join me in a toast to continued friendship between the United States and Togo, as we walk this road together.