As the Braver Angels National Convention came to a close this weekend, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox provided a glimpse into what he hopes to accomplish during his one-year term as chair of the National Governors Association. In a nutshell, Cox hopes to improve how Americans disagree.
“I won’t get into details here, but the initiative will feature governors modeling healthy conflict and helping to amplify the good work you are doing,” Cox said during a speech at the convention on Saturday.
Keeping with the theme of the convention in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the governor drew on quotes from the Founding Fathers during his remarks, emphasizing the sacrifice and service required to preserve a healthy American democracy.
In his remarks, Cox referenced a letter from John Adams to his wife, Abigail, underscoring the “toil and blood and treasure” necessary to establish the United States.
“Two hundred and forty-seven years later, I think John Adams would be proud to see the Independence Day festivities,” Cox said.
“But I’m less sure that Adams and Washington and Hamilton and Franklin would be as proud of our country when it comes to the blood and treasure part — the real work of preserving our republic. The founders understood that true patriotism wasn’t just pomp and circumstance.”
Keeping the republic strong will require “so much more sacrifice and selflessness,” he said.
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