A very appropriate symbol of resistance to government oppression. As appropriate on Jan 20, 2009, as it was back in 1775.
Posted on 01/17/2009 11:39:06 AM PST by markomalley
Christopher Gadsden's face and name may not be immortalized on any bill or coin, but this firebrand designed a symbol which, even through the swirling mists of time, is a reminder of the birth of the nation and the spirit that carried it to freedom.
June 14 is Flag Day. On that day, of course, we remember the Stars and Stripes and the men who fought under that banner for freedom. Gadsden gave us another great flag, one that flew prominently during the American Revolution, under which many men fought and died. Gadsden's was the blazing yellow banner that sports the ominous coiled snake and revolutionary warning, "Don't Tread on Me."
Today we don't take the time as we once did to remember those iron men who fought the Revolution. And, worse, we seem to have forgotten the principles, energy, and sacrifice they poured into defending freedom and the rule of law.
South Carolina's Christopher Gadsden is as much a symbol of the spirit of the American Revolution as his flag. When Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765, Gadsden helped rally opposition to that oppressive law. He argued that taxation without representation in Parliament violated the most basic laws of the English constitution and the natural rights of citizens.
The Stamp Act, like many of the attempts to control the colonies, would set an unlawful precedent. The taxes on tea, trade and even paper were modest. The real problem, the revolutionaries understood, is that the Stamp Act laid the groundwork for the unlimited and unrepresentative expansion of government. It was the thin edge of the wedge.
As John Dickinson wrote,
If Parliament succeeds in this attempt, other statutes will impose other duties… and thus Parliament will levy upon us such sums of money as they choose to take without any other limitation than their pleasure.
Gadsden was a man of principle who understood that government, unless held in check, grows slowly and inexorably. And a government that has no limits, no constitutionally drawn boundaries, soon becomes the master and the citizens become heavily-taxed workers little more than slaves. Without representation — the ability to fight for their interests — the colonies would be subject to the whim and will of politicians ever in search of more revenue and swag to grant the "court locusts" who buzz around institutions of power expecting a handout.
A very appropriate symbol of resistance to government oppression. As appropriate on Jan 20, 2009, as it was back in 1775.
That’s what I am flying daily, beginning Tuesday.
I’ve been wondering if I was the only one, but I guess maybe not. On the morning of November 5th 2008 I took down my stars and stripes which has always flown at my house except during bad weather. I can no longer fly it. It would indicate that I approve of Obama and the communist Congress. I still love the country our founders fought for and so I am planning (as soon as I buy one) to start flying the flags of the revolution like the gadsen from now ‘til I-don’t-know-when. There’s another flag which says something about liberty which I’m looking for also.
I’m sad to say all of this; especially since we still have our soldiers over in the Middle East fighting under the stars and stripes. But, I feel like the stars and stripes was captured by the “enemy” on November 4th. :(
I use flag stamps to send mail. Every stamp is applied upside down ...
LOL
Well, there's the Culpepper flag:
Tried to order a 4’x6’ version for my flapole. The cost was prohibitive. I’ll try my 3’x5’ first. If it doesn’t look good on the flagpole, I’ll probably spring for the bigger flag. But for Inauguration Day, it’s Old Glory. Upside down.
I will fly the Rattlesnake Flag on Obama Day as a symbol of my dedication to the conservative cause. The yellow flag should become the symbol of a new Conservative Movement that I pray will sweep the land. To go forward we must look back at the foundation of the republic. We must find our roots before we can rise in legal opposition to creeping socialism.
I am going to be flying the Grand Union Flag.
bttt
Don’t forget the 1835 Gonzales TX flag. “Come and take it”
http://www.gadsdenandculpeper.com/gonzalesflag.html
http://www.gadsdenandculpeper.com have the flags.
An aside: Which flag flew atop the masts of the Slave Ships? Ships owned by Northern Companies which sailed to the coast of Africa and purchased slaves from Africans. Ships that came back to their Northern Ports full of Africans for the slave market both in the North and in the South. Which flag?
1- The Confederate Flag?
2- The Stars and Stripes?
If you guessed 2, you’re correct. Yet so many people will say that the Confederate Flag “brings back bad memories of slave trading.” They do not know their history, they only know the propaganda fed to them by limp-wristed liberal educators.
If you’re looking for flags, you can find them very inexpensively at http://www.american-flag.com — like $10. They also have small Gadsden Flags, Bonnie Blue, and Culpeper.
If you can afford it, I bought a “car” flag from http://www.gadsdenandculpeper.com that’s well made.
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Just adding to the catalog, not sending a general distribution. |
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IMHO one of the best American flags comes from Texas. It is a cannon with a star and the phrase, “Come and Take It”. I am unable to post a picture at the present time.
Found a flag company on the internet that had it and the 4’x6’ Gadsen. Bought ‘em both.
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