Not observation of a duty but liberty itself is the pledge that assures fidelity.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
The Pledge of Allegiance says, 'liberty and justice for all'.
Liberty is the proper end and object of authority, and cannot subsist without it; and it is liberty to that which is good, just, and honest.
Liberty is the condition of duty, the guardian of conscience. It grows as conscience grows. The domains of both grow together. Liberty is safety from all hindrances, even sin. So that Liberty ends by being Free Will.
By liberty I mean the assurance that every man shall be protected in doing what he believes is his duty against the influence of authority and majorities, custom and opinion.
Liberty, as it is conceived by current opinion, has nothing inherent about it; it is a sort of gift or trust bestowed on the individual by the state pending good behavior.
The Pledge clearly acknowledges the fact that our freedoms in this country come from God, not government.
Liberty is not the power of doing what we like, but the right to do what we ought.
Liberty is the prevention of control by others.
True liberty consists only in the power of doing what we ought to will, and in not being constrained to do what we ought not to will.
When liberty is mentioned, we must always be careful to observe whether it is not really the assertion of private interests which is thereby designated.