Chapter 19--Happy Birthday America

Chapter 19--Happy Birthday America

Good Morning Everybody, how the heck are ya?  Well I officially hate technology this morning.  I had this blog done and went to write my closing remarks and poof all of it disappeared.  So take 2 everybody. Today is July 4th, Independence Day in America.  A day, that if my math is correct, we have celebrated for 242 years. The day that the founding fathers of this great country said "Screw You" to the mighty crown and country of England.  I could go on and on about how this country has went down hill since then but that is a blog post for a different day.  Today I want to remember the signers of our "freedom papers". 

Everybody is familiar with all the famous names associated with the Declaration of Independence .  You had John Hancock who signed his name so big that the monarchy could see it clear over in England. I actually met one of his descendants, aptly named John Hancock. He lived next to my aunt and uncle in Oklahoma City. You also had the names like Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Paine and Penn.  But to understand the totality of the body that these great men shared in you also have to take their efforts, their sacrifices and their honor as a totality as well and not separate them as individuals. 

Five signers of the declaration were captured and treated as traitors by the British. While it seems things are different these days, you know what happened to traitors back then. At least 9 of the signers served and died in battles during the Revolutionary War. 

While we live in a vastly different world today.  Do you think we could find the proportional value today of these 56 to draft, basically articles of incorporation for a country.  Gentlemen that gave up their fortunes, their livelihoods and in some case their lives. 

So if my math is right again. 24 of the 56 were either lawyers or judges. 11 were merchants and 9 were farmers and the other 12 were made up of a cross-section of what would become America. They were men of virtue.  They were men of means and were for the most part well educated.  So what do you think made them sign their name to this piece of paper?  They were obviously targets after this and would surely have been put to death if captured.  Well I think its because they believed in something much bigger then themselves.  That's easy to do when you live under tyranny.  They were tired of the kangaroo court system the English had put in place.  They didn't want to quarter British troops, especially without compensation and they dang sure didn't want any more taxes especially without representation.  They wanted fair and free trade to grow their businesses and their country and they wanted rights, ones that are granted to them by the Lord Almighty. Kinda sounds like we are making a full circle on issues today doesn't it. 

Many of the signers saw their homes, property and families destroyed and killed. Many had to survive by hiding in the woods and died either broke or bankrupt.  Yes, technically their is a difference.  These men had security but gave it up because they valued liberty and freedom more. The last sentence in the Declaration states, "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.  They were all in.  Do yourself, your family, your town, your state and your country a favor.  Be all in on something that matters. We all don't have to agree on everything.  Lord knows I don't agree with many liberals these days.  But the ones that actually have beliefs that they believe vastly in.  While I don't agree, I can appreciate the vigor in which they believe. If we all do that this country will continue to be the great country that it is.

Happy Birthday America!!

If you want to keep up with me on social media you can find me on Twitter @OKREDNECKFARMER. I'm on Facebook at OKredneckfarmer and you can email me at bodarkspringsfarm@gmail.com.  Until next time everybody have a great rest of the day and a better tomorrow.