How interesting and timely that you should post that paraphrase in your thoughtful and right-on-point #172!
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As my FRName implies, this Texan was "voluntarily exiled" in the liberal State immediately south of New Hampshire for two decades, and I grew to admire NH's ubiquitously-visible motto, "Live Free or Die!".
Serendipitously, two of my granddaughters just returned from a visit to New Hampshire, (and Concord, its capital) and, while there, they learned (and, then, conveyed to me on their return to Texas) the complete quotation from which the NH motto is taken.
Per the NH State law establishing the motto (emphases mine...):
State Motto. The words "Live Free or Die," written by General John Stark, July 31, 1809, shall be the official motto of the state.It was the 1945 Legislature that gave New Hampshire its official motto and emblem, as World War II approached a successful end.
The motto became "Live Free Or Die," as once voiced by General John Stark, the states most distinguished hero of the Revolutionary War, and the world famous Old Man of the Mountain was voted the official state emblem.
The motto was part of a volunteer toast which General Stark sent to his wartime comrades, in which he declined an invitation to head up a 32nd anniversary reunion of the 1777 Battle of Bennington in Vermont, because of poor health. The toast said in full: "Live Free Or Die; Death Is Not The Worst of Evils." The following year, a similar invitation (also declined) said: "The toast, sir, which you sent us in 1809 will continue to vibrate with unceasing pleasure in our ears,
"Live Free Or Die;
Death Is Not The Worst Of Evils."New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) 3:1, 8 Anderson, Leon. History. Manual for the General Court 1981. Moore, Howard Parker. A Life of General John Stark of New Hampshire. Howard Parker Moore author and publisher, c.1949.
That full motto should serve well all those who love our Constitution (whether they be Oathkeepers, Veterans, or, simply Patriotic Americans) and who abhor the reprehensible regime which is currently destroying our beloved Nation.
As for me, as a Texan, my feelings toward my State are expressed in my Tagline, below.
And, wherever in our Nation I go, my personal motto can be expressed with this 1835 Texian flag:
Nicely done, Sir!