past, present, future

Martin Diamond put a lot of though into the article title ‘Revolution of Sober Expectations’. Each word seems to have been delicately chosen. He captures the Founding Fathers awareness of the past present and future.
Starting with the word Revolution. Prior to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution the Founding Father explored and studied. Jefferson clearly drew much of his inspiration for the Declaration from John Lock. Ancient philosophy was not the only ideals they pondered, but they sensed their own development. For example the majority of the Declaration of Independence lists offensive committed by the Crown. In letters written to Jefferson Madison reflects on the revolutions necessity of a Constitution to complement the Declaration. Pondering the history of humanity and the colonies interact with England lead the Founding Fathers to revolution.
Sober in Diamond’s context means thoughtful. In all of their debates about the Founding Fathers maintained a consciousness of their predicament. According to Diamond “It was in this sober spirit that the American Revolution cheerfully and cannily worked its way out of the eighteenth century into the era of modern democracy” This sober spirit that he makes reference to is making democracy decent. Although they believed that King James was unjust they understood masses could be just as biased and corrupt as an individual. This lead them to be complacent about their decision to establish a democracy. Although modern views persist democracy to them it was a new concept. Because each man maintained his dignity and recognize his own imperfections they established a Constitution that maintained checks and balances.
Finally Expectations is what the Founding Father wanted. In his article Diamond states, “at precisely that moment of crisis when other revolutions turn turbulent, begin to devour their own, and dash all the initial hopes, at precisely that moment ripe for disaster the American Revolution achieved its glory by a unique moment of stillness sobriety.” They never lost the reality of their goal. Unlike the vain utopian expectations of the French, or communist revolution the Founding Fathers maintained a realistic view point of men. Consequently their views of human nature helped them to maintain their goals. By keeping a view on the future they established a well thought out Declaration and Constitution.
It was the combination of the past, present and future that created the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution. By creating that balance the Founding Fathers developed lasting documents. Martin Diamond tries to make this point not only in his article, but even in the title ‘Revolution of Sober Expectations’.