Independency

As they refer to Independence in the musical 1776. I recommend it. It lends a much needed humanity to the Founders. And a much needed piquancy to the birth of our country.

Yes. I know it's a movie based on (a great) stage play. Again, I believe it captures the spirit of '76 as it were.

These guys and their gals were real flesh and blood people. What concerns me is the relegation to sainthood or worse, to irrelevancy. Taken for granted. How could they be?

Great genius, yes. Determination. But such infighting, it's a wonder we got a Declaration. We almost didn't.

Molassus to rum to slaves. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXsXej9FloA&feature=related

This points out that many were just fine with slavery. I'm told that this play has never been done at a high school because of that very song. If it has and someone knows, please leave a comment.

That attitude flies in the face of this:

"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, ...
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends,
it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it."
-- Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776

Also, here is the portion taken out regarding slavery:

He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating and carrying them into slavery in an other hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither. This piratical warfare, the opprobrium of INFIDEL powers, is the warfare of the CHRISTIAN king of Great Britain. Determined to keep open a market where MEN should be bought and sold, he has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or to restrain this execrable commerce. And that this assemblage of horrors might want no fact of distinguished die, he is now exciting those very people to rise in arms among us, and to purchase that liberty of which he has deprived them, by murdering the people on whom he also obtruded them: thus paying off former crimes committed against the LIBERTIES of one people, with crimes which he urges them to commit against the LIVES of an other.

Several state refused to sign until this was purged.

In the play/musical Jefferson initially refuses to remove it. There is an impasse. Then Franklin urges its removal, saying, 'One thing at a time.'

Indeed. Sad but true. Reality.

These men were dangerous. They were considered criminals by the British Crown, with prices on their heads.

In fact, when John Hancock with a flourish, signed his name extra large, he said, "The price on my head has just doubled". He wanted 'Fat George' and his lackeys to see it, blatantly, right in their faces.

Who could forget Franklin reminding all that 'We must all hang together or most assuredly we shall all hang separately'.

They pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor.

Here is a list of what happened to many of the signers:

17 served in the military;

11 had their homes destroyed;

5 were hunted and captured;

Abraham Clark had two sons imprisoned on the British starving ship
Jersey;

John Witherspoon's son was killed in battle;

Francis Lewis' wife was inprisoned and died from the harsh treatment;

Many, such as Thomas Nelson and Carter Braxton, lost their fortunes;

And 9 died during the War.

Many more so pledged beyond the signers.

One of my own ancestors, General Arthur St. Clair, though not a great general, took the same risks as did the signers and of course, Washington, who stood up for him. He died penniless many years later (Not a great economust either I'm afraid.). Even with their faults many pledged at the risk of life and limb.

Can we do less now?

Some have wondered if there are enough with the same resolve today.

I'm proud to know David Codrea, Mike Vanderboegh, Matt Bracken and many other authors and 3pers. They have taken a stand in the tradition and ways of the Founders.

They have written and/or endorsed cautionary tales about what could well happen if we don't Restore the Republic.

I am proud and humbled to be in their numbers. And I'm encouraged, because they are passing this decision for Freedom to their kids, as have I.

Think about it. Decide for yourself.

Do we still 'have the right stuff'?

I say YES!

Is it enough?

YES!

It's a good start!