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The American Creed

What is The American’s Creed or The American Creed?

“I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers area derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag; and to defend it against all enemies.” ~William Tyler Page

The Story of The American Creed

In 1916, the world was embroiled in the Great War (WWI) and many Americans thought that we dwelled on our privileges and had forgotten to consider the duties and obligations of being citizens of the United States of America.

Henry Sterling Chapin, New York State Commisioner of Education conceived the idea to promote a county-wide contest for the writing of a National Creed. The goal was to achieve the briefest possible summary of American political faith, founded upon fundamentals most distinctive in American history and tradition. Something to reunite a troubled country.

The City of Baltimore joined in and offered $1,000 for the winning essay and three committees are formed: The Committee of Manuscripts reviewed all the entries and selected the top 50. The Committee on Award selected the winning Creed, and the Advisory Committee endorsed the result. Over 3000 entries were received nationwide.

Who Won

Entries were collected from all States and numbered in order of receipt, coupled with a sealed envelope containing the author and contact information. Entry #384 won.

It was penned by William Tyler Page, descendant of Carter Braxton, signer of The Declaration of Independence and of our 10th President, John Tyler. William Tyler Page was born in 1868. He became a page in the US House of Representatives at age 13. There he remained employed until his death. The last position he held was Clerk of the Minority.

Creed Becomes National Knowledge

The public announcement of the winning Creed was on April 13, 1918. Less then two weeks later, DAR President Sarah E Guernsey asked William Tyler Page to lead the assembly at Continental Congress in reciting the creed. It became an annual tradition for 24 years until William Tyler Page passed away.

Mr Page’s last public appearance was October 18,1942 at Memorial Continental Hall, addressing the DAR on the 50th anniversary of the Pledge of Allegiance. The following day Mr. Page celebrated his 75th birthday with his family and quietly passed away in his sleep. As a tribute to his long service, the House of Representatives made him Clerk of the Minority for Life.

Patriotism not Politics

I have very vague memories of reciting the American’s Creed as a child in school. I am told just one generation ago it was common and expected to recite the creed in classrooms and at patriotic organizations and all kinds of get togethers. I’ve seen it on plaques but never understood what it was exactly or the significance. I certainly did not appreciate how it came to be or why people embraced it.

People like William Tyler Page inspire me for they find ways to love their country and share that love with others without delving into the viper pit that is the political arena. This Family is on a quest to find fun ways to explore and experience our country and share ways to fall in love with it. One way is through educational bits like this that turn into ‘Did you know…’ table conversations. (I’m famous for those) My grandmother taught me you will never go wrong with being kind, being polite, and saying thank you. It is my hope that you dear reader and friend, learn something from this post and choose to share it with others in a conversational way. No politics, just kindness and pride in what our families before us have done for us to have these lives we do.

The Meaning of each Line of The American Creed

…as explained by William Tyler Page… SUPER interesting!!!!

I believe in the United States of America: These are the closing words of the Premable of the Constitution.

As a Government of the People, by the People, for the People: Abraham Lincoln stated this in the Gettysburg Address

Whose Just Powers are derived from the Consent of the Governed: Dating back to Jamestown in 1607 and repeated by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence

A Sovereign Nation of many Sovereign States: The powers of the State Governments are held to be sacred wherever they do not conflict with the good of all as represented in the Federal Government, whose power is granted in the Constitution from the people themselves.

A Perfect Union: From the Preamble to the Constitution encompassing a stronger union resulting from its adoption by all the States

One and Inseparable: From Daniel Webster’s speech in the US Senate, the Union is ‘one and inseperable’ because the people have determined that it is best for all the States to remain united and ‘governed by their own consent’ through their duly-elected representatives. The Supreme Court agreed that ‘The Constitution, in all its provisions, looks to an indestructible Union, composed of indestructible States.’

Established upon whose principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes: From the Declaration of Independence. American Patriots, from the beginning until now, have offered their lives and fortunes on behalf of the principles to which this Nation has been dedicated.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it: Nathan Hale said “I only regret that I have but one life to give to my country.” John Hancock wrote “Patriotism is ever united with humanity and compassion. This noble affection which impels us to sacrifice everything dear, even life itself, to our country, involves in it a common sympathy and tenderness for every citizen, and must ever have a particular feeling for one who suffers in a public cause.”

To support its Constitution: From the Otha of Allegiance: ‘II do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same…that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion…”

To obey its laws: George Washington’s Farewell Address: ‘Respect for its authority, compliance with its Laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true Liberty. The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and alter their Constitutions of Government. But the Constitution which at any time exists, ’til changed by an explicit and authentic actor of the whole People, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right of the People to establish Government, presupposed the duty of every individual to obey the established Government.’

To respect its flag: The Army and Navy Regulations and Flag Etiquette published one year earlier, April 14, 1917.

and to defend it against all enemies: Emphasized in the Oath of Allegiance.

The American Creed or The American’s Creed

So what is the correct way to say it? The American Creed or The American’s Creed. I think it’s just semantics. The real importance lies in the words, not the title. And it’s something I personally would love to see brought back in style. Country, not politics.

Special Thanks

I attended a California Daughters of the American Revolution get together where Carole Curran presented this program on the story behind the American’s Creed. I found it fascinating and it with her permission these words and photos are shared.

Usually I have a lot of humor in my posts but today, I just feel happy and will hold my head a little higher as an American. Yup, we have a lot of ugly parts to our nation and our history. But we also have some shining moments, some of them, like this story, just need a little dusting off. I hope you enjoyed the story! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!