Lady Liberty

"Hold My Hand."

People often just notice Lady Liberty holding the Torch.
But the Statue holds two objects:

The torch in her right hand.
A large tablet in her left.

This tablet is known as a tabula ansata, a traditional Ancient Roman tablet.
It’s used to evoke the concept of Law.

The tablet of the Statue is inscribed with JULY IV MDCCLXXVI:

That’s Roman numerals for July 4, 1776.
The date of the United States Declaration of Independence.

The Statue of Liberty therefore represents the contract of citizenship.

The torch represents enlightenment: of truth, hope, guidance and Freedom.
The tablet represents law, national sovereignty and self government, and the principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence.

The torch is a symbol that says:

“Welcome. The light of Freedom will guide you.
Follow me, and I will show you the way.”

But the tablet is a quiet reminder, saying:

“Here is what we believe. Here are the principles we uphold and the laws we will protect and defend. Here are the responsibilities we will adhere to, as one united people.”

Today, as we ponder the contributions to New York by millions of Irish immigrants, we are grateful:

That they came seeking Freedom and safety, and the chance to have a better life.
That they then accepted the responsibilities that came with citizenship.

In fact so many Irish-Americans served and sacrificed for America, and helped to grow it in countless positive ways, that our nation is truly indebted to them.

As a group, Irish-Americans by no means have been merely beneficiaries of America.
They have been deeply generous contributors to it, and powerful defenders of it in war.

Thank you to our Irish-Americans who understood that Lady Liberty was offering them to hold her hand.

Both of them.