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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....Declaration of Independence - July 4, 2007
July 4, 2007 | DollyCali

Posted on 07/03/2007 8:56:40 PM PDT by DollyCali





A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day
Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 200,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.
A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay.
On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY











The Declaration of Independence
In Congress, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America





When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men 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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments :

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. .



The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:

[Column 1]
Georgia:
Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton

[Column 2]
North Carolina:
William Hooper
Joseph Hewes
John Penn
South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.
Arthur Middleton

[Column 3]
Massachusetts:
John Hancock
Maryland:
Samuel Chase
William Paca
Thomas Stone
Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia:
George Wythe
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Harrison
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton

[Column 4]
Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Franklin
John Morton
George Clymer
James Smith
George Taylor
James Wilson
George Ross
Delaware:
Caesar Rodney
George Read
Thomas McKean

[Column 5]
New York:
William Floyd
Philip Livingston
Francis Lewis
Lewis Morris
New Jersey:
Richard Stockton
John Witherspoon
Francis Hopkinson
John Hart
Abraham Clark

[Column 6]
New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett
William Whipple
Massachusetts:
Samuel Adams
John Adams
Robert Treat Paine
Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins
William Ellery
Connecticut:
Roger Sherman
Samuel Huntington
William Williams
Oliver Wolcott
New Hampshire:
Matthew Thornton





Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

It's time we get the word out that PATRIOTISM is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.

Remember: Freedom is never free!











03-27-07 ~ Hall of Fame #19 ~ Final

THIS WEEK'S THREADS

07-2,3-07 Military Tribute

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping'
Every Thursday at the Finest
The guy's good, folks!


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 4thjuly; freedom; treeofliberty
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To: DollyCali
I am still the queen of copy & paste.

LOL. Hey, nuthin' wrong with that.

I went back to my 4th of July Finest post in 2002 and copied the html for the patriotic hat and music. It was much quicker than locating the music on my server and putting it all together again. :-)

41 posted on 07/03/2007 9:51:45 PM PDT by Mama_Bear (The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.)
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To: quikdrw

I LOVE your tagline! LOL!!


42 posted on 07/03/2007 9:58:51 PM PDT by Mama_Bear (The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.)
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To: MEG33

Howdy, MEG. Happy 4th of July to you!


43 posted on 07/03/2007 10:00:11 PM PDT by Mama_Bear (The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.)
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To: DollyCali
I attended 6 of his concerts in various cities. LOVE his stuff.

You lucky dog. I would LOVE to go to one of his concerts, but I don't think they get out here in the West often, if at all.

44 posted on 07/03/2007 10:02:12 PM PDT by Mama_Bear (The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.)
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To: LUV W

I just downloaded a bunch of music from the AF and Navy sites this morning.

Last week, our grandson, Christian, (11) asked, “Poppy, can I put out the American Flag?”

He picked it up, unfurled it and marched out the front door singing, “You’re a grand old flag...” as he placed it in the holder mounted on the wall. They learn these kinda things at his Christian school.


45 posted on 07/03/2007 10:04:55 PM PDT by Diver Dave
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To: Diver Dave

God bless the child! He is getting a REAL education.

I know his Poppy is SO proud!


46 posted on 07/03/2007 10:06:24 PM PDT by luvie (Thompson)
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To: LUV W
Happy Independence Day, LUV W!


47 posted on 07/03/2007 10:06:46 PM PDT by jan in Colorado (God Bless the United States of America!)
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To: DollyCali

Jack and Bailey have been all over me like a shadow with all the fireworks exploding in the neighborhood. They don’t like the Fourth celebrations.


48 posted on 07/03/2007 10:07:57 PM PDT by Diver Dave
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To: jan in Colorado

And to you, stranger! (((hugs)))

I LOVE that picture!

Hope you’re going to have a fun day tomorrow!


49 posted on 07/03/2007 10:10:23 PM PDT by luvie (Thompson)
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To: DollyCali
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
50 posted on 07/03/2007 10:11:10 PM PDT by Old Seadog (Inside every old person is a young person saying "WTF happened?".)
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To: Mama_Bear

Woohoo! Great tunes, MB! Thanks!

Happy 4th to you!


51 posted on 07/03/2007 10:12:04 PM PDT by luvie (Thompson)
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To: Mama_Bear

Thanks. My Dad said it to me, once. I try to keep it in mind, too.


52 posted on 07/03/2007 10:14:10 PM PDT by quikdrw (Life is tough....it's even tougher if you are stupid.)
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To: Old Seadog

Happy Fourth, Seadog!


53 posted on 07/03/2007 10:16:02 PM PDT by MEG33 (GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES)
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To: LUV W

Hi LUVie. You are welcome.

You have a happy 4th too.


54 posted on 07/03/2007 10:18:05 PM PDT by Mama_Bear (The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.)
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To: Old Seadog

Wow!! That is beautiful!


55 posted on 07/03/2007 10:18:57 PM PDT by Mama_Bear (The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.)
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To: Diver Dave

Toby & Josy aren;t exactly fond of the “boom booms” either.

Cali is deaf now & so okay but she never was to bent out of shape with fireworks. She is 19 now & doing okay for an old lady kitty


56 posted on 07/03/2007 10:21:42 PM PDT by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: Old Seadog

wow, what a great graphic (that is how residing on my harddrive)

thanks & have a great & safe 4th of July


57 posted on 07/03/2007 10:22:52 PM PDT by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: Mama_Bear; All

58 posted on 07/03/2007 10:28:53 PM PDT by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: LUV W
{{{{HUGS}}}} It's been a very difficult couple of months...glad to be back home.

Independence Day is my favorite day of the year!

Hope you’re going to have a fun day tomorrow!

Oh yes...like last year I'm going to ride in (or walk behind) the Support our troops float !

I'm sure you have a special day planned as well!?!

59 posted on 07/03/2007 10:28:54 PM PDT by jan in Colorado (God Bless the United States of America!)
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To: jan in Colorado; MEG33; LUV W; Mama_Bear; Lady Jag; Old Seadog


60 posted on 07/03/2007 10:35:51 PM PDT by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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