We have cause for pride in the individual achievements of outstanding Harlans. We should keep in mind, however, that for every major historical character there were a thousand others who were simply self-reliant, solid citizens who made a contribution to society. Most of the early Harlans were farmers in a country that was overwhelmingly rural and agricultural, whereas the more prominent Harlans were mostly political leaders and professional men. In recent times, as corporations have come to dominate commercial agriculture and our country has become more urban and industrial, the family farm has become an endangered species. At present, when large organizations and extreme individualists are both eroding the strength of the family unit, it behooves us to meet here in America's heartland on this Fourth of July weekend of national renewal, to strengthen our bonds with one another as an extended family.
Environment is precious and irreplaceable, but so is heredity.
You who bear the Harlan name or are descended from Harlans should be aware that you come from great stock, and you ought to remember where you came from. Louis R. Harlan is University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Maryland. Numbers in parentheses indicate those assigned to individual Harlans in Alpheus H. Harlan's History of the Harlan Family in America .