Michael Auslin on the Declaration of Independence and the Spirit of 1776

Dr. Michael Auslin joins Mitch Daniels to discuss his new book National Treasure and the remarkable story behind the Declaration of Independence as it turns 250. They explore the document's improbable physical survival, myths about July 4th, Jefferson's lost "fair copy," and the passages Congress removed. The conversation moves to the Declaration's enduring power as a statement of natural rights, its role in debates over slavery, equality, and liberty from the Civil War through the civil rights movement, and how movements around the world have claimed its language for vastly different purposes. Auslin and Daniels reflect on the founders' spirit of compromise, civic friendship, and what the Declaration still has to teach Americans in 2026. The Declaration's Wild Survival Story (01:12) Why We Celebrate July 4th & Not July 2nd (09:16) All Men Are Created Equal, What Did They Mean? (20:26) The Confederates Loved the Declaration (29:12) Compromise Made the Country (42:59) The Future of Liberty — Former Indiana governor and Purdue University president Mitch Daniels investigates the prospects for liberty and more through conversations with prominent thinkers and leaders across diverse fields. New episodes are available wherever you listen, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Visit thefutureofliberty.org to learn more.Want more from Liberty Fund? Get the latest ideas and conversations on liberty delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for the LF Weekly Digest. You can also follow Liberty Fund on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.