There is a lot of talk about how we are a nation divided, as if this was some new wrinkle in the fabric of history. It doesn't take much research to conclude that the notion of unity has always been more of a lofty goal than a reality. Since the founding of our country, we've always been divided. Even the colonies themselves were founded for different reasons. Plymouth was founded by people seeking a place where they could worship God the way they wanted to. Georgia was founded as an alternative to debtor's prison in England, and later evolved into a place where the poor could go to start a new life. Jamestown was a commercial enterprise. The reasons for coming were as varied as those who came. Puritans and Pennsylvania Germans, aristocratically minded Virginia families, Nantucket fishermen, Connecticut farmers and Maine woodsmen all had a place here, eking out a living in a time when even the next meal was not altogether a certainty. Add to that the native people, free blacks, indentured servants, and of course, those afflicted by the scourge of slavery, and the result is a tapestry of people with different aspirations, dreams, and ways of living.

During the War for Independence, most of the colonists were either Tories, believing that the colonies should remain British, or indifferent. Patriots, those who favored independence, numbered somewhere between twenty and forty percent of the population. Though the Patriots didn't have anything close to unity on the subject of independence, they managed to carry the day.

After the war ended, unity still eluded the young nation. In fact, it was another rebellion that led to the writing of the Constitution. A group of irate farmers, led by a man named Daniel Shays, rebelled against the state government in Massachusetts because of unfair taxation and economic policy. This led to the Convention of the States in the summer of 1787. After a summer of wrangling and debate, the delegates forged a document that formed "A more perfect Union."

The beauty of the Constitution wasn't that it eliminated differences. Quite the contrary; the Constitution allows our nation to flourish by enshrining into law the right to have them. It gave small states a voice equal to that of the larger states, and each citizen a say in how the country is to be run, regardless of where they live, how much property they own, or any other superficial detail that might separate one person from another.

Division isn't a dirty word, and it isn't something we as a country should run away from or try to eradicate. Division allowed our country to stamp out the dehumanizing institution of slavery and extend the right to vote to women. Division allows us to present new ideas and refine old ones. It is a necessary ingredient of progress, the crucible by which ideas are tested and truth is discovered. Division can be messy, and chaotic, and sometimes violent, but without it, we lose something quintessentially American, that ability for one lone voice to pierce the din and bring about positive change.

Every day, people across the country harness the power of division. We do it in every city and every town in America, as bus drivers and farmers, factory workers and bankers, homemakers and stockbrokers, bakers, artists, designers, and a thousand other occupations, all of which are valuable, all of which contribute to a vibrant, dynamic system that provides endless opportunities to those who are willing to make use of them.

Every day, people of different walks of life put their skills, knowledge, and passions to work, cooperating with others to keep the country moving along. We call this miracle "commerce." and it is one of the few things that binds everyone together. Commerce rewards hard work and skill. It incentivizes honesty and good manners. Commerce is, at its heart, pure democracy, and the ultimate expression of the human desire to cooperate, to build, and to prosper. Commerce is a celebration of differences, a shining example of our national motto E Pluribus Unum.

Out of many, one.

The Silver City Chamber of Commerce wishes everyone a wonderful Independence Day. We hope that everyone enjoyed themselves and took time during the day to think about what a blessing it is to live in a country where we have the freedom to be divided.

Congratulations to our 2023 Fourth of July Lady Liberty Parade Winners.

Category 1 Float- Hidalgo Medical Services
Category 2 Car, Truck, Motorcycle, Tractors, Etc.- Farm Bureau Financial Services
Category 3 Non-motorized Bikes, Skateboards, Etc. – Bike Works
Category 4 Equestrian Group- Healing Hands Equine Services
Category 5 Walking Group- Native American Dance Group

The Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce and Conference Center had over 70 entries in this year's parade! We appreciate all the groups who participated and represented their organizations. Your engagement is truly what makes Grant County valuable!

Thank you to all our sponsors.
PNM, Town of Silver City, Freeport McMoRan, W&N Enterprises, SkyWest Media, Silver City Daily Press and Independent, First Savings Bank, Hatch Toyota, The Veterans Coalition, and the Lions Club.

Thank you to all our staff and volunteers.
Carolyn Castillo, Paige Pinto, Isaac Castillo, Bruce Ashburn, Raul Turrieta, Judy Cruz, Jaelynn Cruz, Jace Cruz, Jalen Duffy, Tina Saenz, John Saenz and Kaylee Ruebush.