People just do not realize, less than a few generations we were subject to a man. Then a government was created to be subject to us, the citizenry.
Never, ever, be subject to another human being. Ever. Our servants work for us in government.
Can’t help but think that Franklin signed it because he knew it would be ignored.
Good Lord!
What a tedious document.
I suppose that was the style then but seems it could have been MUCH shorter and still had the message.
It’s good that they tried. It’s likely that they already knew their try was doomed. But they approached the coming storm with straight backs - unbowed, morally at peace.
Fortunes and families were at stake and they still signed their names. Patriots and Loyalists were as divided as we are today but had none of the protections that they won for us. And those are the protections that have softened us against the threats the other side holds up against us.
We were a tough people when those men came together. Militias trained in every town square. The military were still respected as the ones trained were everyone’s child. Then the liberals performed the jaw dropping feat of Re-educating our children until it wasn’t clear our military would ever recover. But those who remembered pride and strength still taught their children and I now have faith that the military forces will again recover and strong children grow into a strong peoples.
Thank you for posting this! It provides a bit more perspective on the American Revolution.
I loved the John Adams HBO miniseries, which was generally well done. That said, they made Dickinson look like a complete snidely fop, which he was not.
Once that effort failed, the true British Loyalists had to leave, self deport to England or a colony such as Canada. Hard to tell one White/Anglo from another back in those days, hence the “natural born” legal definition for President was required & vetted. Loyalty to a King or similar title was the way of the world except in New America. No dual citizenship would ever be desired or allowed in the New America. Subversion of that loyalty has been under constant attack from the get go, by the Usual Suspects led by the British Oligarchy and their minions.
Ping
Dear Friends: July 4th
July 4th marks the 249th birthday of the United States of America. In terms of world history, we are still young. This republic was founded in 1776 by some very brave, courageous and wise men. As it turns out, about three-quarters of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were affiliated with the Episcopal Church, and over a quarter of all Presidents of the United States have been Episcopalians. While the founding fathers deservedly get the credit for creating this experiment in democracy, we know that behind the scenes they had support from friends and family, spouses and associates, and mostly importantly they were inspired by God.
It is this divine inspiration that continues to drive this nation through all its trials and tribulations. We make mistakes, and we don’t always get it right, but if we continue to look at the guiding principles laid down before us those many years ago, that being that “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”, we can see the principles that define us. These are the principles that Americans call their own, that makes them cry out when these rights are impinged on or threatened. It is these principles that has driven so many young men and women to swear an oath to our constitution. That oath includes their willingness to write a check payable to the United States government for an amount up to and including their very life.
This nation and all that we believe in should never be taken for granted. For the most part, we gather every Sunday without threat of violence or oppression. We are free to gather in worship, and worship how we are inspired by God. This God is available for everyone. This God transcends denomination, faith tradition, or human understanding. This God teaches us peace, caring, empathy and compassion. We understand this about God through the teachings of Jesus. Amongst the freedoms of this nation is the ability for someone to worship God through a different faith tradition or understanding. As Americans, we celebrate many freedoms. Among the most important is the freedom of religion. This was important to the founders of our nation, so important that it became the first amendment to our constitution.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
It is no mistake that the first amendment includes these freedoms. Our forefathers demanded it.
For this holiday, as we enjoy spending time with family and friends at parades, cook outs and fireworks displays, let’s pause and remember the gift of this nation. Created with blood, sweat and tears inspired by a divine creator. This nation is worth the hard work; the sacrifice and wisdom it takes to keep it going. In troubling times, it can seem hard to remember, but we are and continue to be one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for ALL!
Thank you so much for posting this. It’s something I’d forgotten about a very long time ago. I think it’s wonderful to remember and to learn what the FF’s did and went through to get this nation into existence. The things they attempted to reconcile, and the things they put up with, and the things that broke the camel’s back. And, to remember and to learn that they were Englishmen.