Free Republic

Why are they doing this?

We all know that the signers of the Declaration of Independence put their lives and property at risk by their act of courage. The question is: who among politicians of the past 60 years would have done the same. I can think of only two. Ronald Reagan would have signed, no doubt, on grounds of principle above personal ambitions. Harry Truman might have done, but I think that it would depend upon when in his career he was asked to do it. Are there any others? Nominations, please.

It all began on July 4, 1776 in the city of Philadelphia when a small group of men, suffering under the restraints of a European power 3000 miles away, and acting as the Second Continental Congress, declared their 13 colonies to be free and independent of Great Britain. Knowing their proclamation would bring difficulties, they committed themselves and their constituents to what they believed was their “unalienable right” — freedom from tyranny. The Revolutionary War resulted from their declaration. It was a time of tremendous hardship for the new nation, but it ushered in a new era for the world....

TRENTON, July 3 (AP) — When in the course of human events it becomes necessary to honor the grave sites of Declaration of Independence signers, don’t count New Jersey in. It can’t afford it. Five Declaration signers are buried in the Garden State: four New Jerseyans and a Pennsylvanian. But an effort to preserve their graves, promote their lives and honor them with graveside plaques has stalled in the state, which was home to several key Revolutionary War battles and calls itself the Crossroads of the American Revolution. A plan to spend $200,000 to preserve and newly mark the graves...

If members of this present generation had been present at the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence, one cannot help but wonder how they would have behaved and what they would have said or written. “Liberals” would most certainly have voiced not just concerns, but opposition to the “Declaration” because it might lead to war. They would have taken issue with the enumeration of grievances, because their enumeration would likely offend the “crown.” In fact, a declaration of independence would most certainly lead to heavy-handed retaliation, destruction of property, and killing of innocent civilians to put the down...