From ‘Richard L. Evans, his book, ‘The Man and The Message’
Many years ago Daniel Webster recalled a question: “How much is all this worth?”47 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 worship as one wishes? How much is it worth 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 loved faces unafraid?
How much is it worth to own personal property?47 to have personal privacy? How much is it worth to preserve personal dignity? How much is it worth to choose leaders? to vote in an open and honest election? to have a voice in the making and administering of laws of the land? How much is it worth to come and go, to live and choose, to think and to speak, to read and to search? to have an education offered everyone? How much is it worth to freely express an opinion, fearlessly to move from place to place, with an openness of life, a free ranging of the mind; and enjoyment of the great and goodly earth that God has given, with peace of mind and quiet conviction?
Despite all encroachments on freedom, and all unwise relinquishment of some rights, still blessed beyond belief, still precious beyond price, is the freedom our forebears paid for—the freedom that is God-given, which yet, paradoxically, has to be everlastingly earned and deserved 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 give allegiance, to be a participating partner, to live with honor, justice and respect for law, and a willingness to keep the commandments—for “No free government,” wrote Andrew Jackson, can stand without virtue in the people and the lofty spirit of patriotism: . . . .”48
Richard L. Evans~’The Man and the Message’ (Bookcraft: Salt Lake City, 1973)
