It is the steel that made America uniquely great in the history of the world;
forged on a lonely and merciless frontier;
tempered by a unique experiment in “consent of the governed”
that not only cast off the scourge of slavery
but produced agriculture, industry, and economy that rule the world to this day;
and honed to a fine edge by the constant encroachment,
from both within and without,
by those who would take away our freedom.
The steel within
It is Rugged Individualism.
It is Individual Freedom.
It is asking nothing from anybody
except the unencumbered right to pursue my own way and my own dreams,
and to provide for myself and my mine in the manner I choose.
It is the demand that America be governed justly,
and by just people.
It is duty before self, responsibility before pleasure.
It is Mountain Pride.
