Sweet Land of Liberty

by Tim Shaw (Pennsylvania)

"My Country Tis’ of Thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountain side, let freedom ring!"

To Forget The Price of Freedom

Benjamin Franklin once said that "A people who know the price of their God-given Rights can never be enslaved." It is those Rights, those Principles, that have been forgotten in America today. The understanding of where Rights are derived has degenerated into immorality. The forgotten glory of State Rights has turned our limited government into a collective giant involving itself in almost every aspect of life. The price of freedom and the danger of tyranny has all but been forgotten. Our Founding Fathers bled and died so that we could be a free people. They not only gave us the greatest nation in history, but strictly warned us to never forget the Principles that won that prize.

We hope to remember those Principles, set forth so long ago -- which have since been forgotten. We realize all the campaign finance reform in the world cannot replace the power of an educated electorate. In order to pay off the debt, balance the budget, repeal NAFTA and GATT or restore Congress to it’s rightful place, there must be a new spirit awakened in America. By working for reform, while reminding Americans of their precious liberties, we can together have a new birth of freedom.

When in the Course of human Events

Perhaps it was the French and Indian War (1754-1763) that first caused our resentment against the British Empire. Ending with the Treaty of Paris, the British government was deep in debt and sought to relieve that debt by taxing the American colonies. It was the colonies however, which had largely won the war. There was also something else -- as British subjects they were entitled to representation in the legislative body that had imposed the tax. They had none. Since the colonies had no representation in Parliament, this created heavy resentment against the British and thus the phrase "Taxation without Representation".

The British did repeal most of the objectionable taxes. They did keep one "token tax" that all British subjects were to pay, as to strictly reaffirm the King’s role of unlimited authority. The taxes, even before repealed, did not amount to much in size -- yet it was the principle of taxation without representation that had caused public resentment. It was that public resentment that caused British retaliation. Their retaliation led to our rebellion.

The Stamp Act of 1765, The Townshend Acts, the Writs of Assistance, the Boston Massacre, The Boston Port Bill, increasing encroachment upon colonial state rights -- all led the Americans to the realization that their punishment for resentment was leading to tyranny. As Richard Henry Lee had said "If Parliament may take from me of one shilling in the pound, what security do I have of the other nineteen?"

The punishment only grew. Denial of jury, quartering large bodies of troops, refusal to pass law unless the people would relinquish representation, dissolving of Representative Houses, control of Judges, multitudes of Offices erected to harass the people, standing armies in times of peace, rendering of the military above civil power, protecting soldiers against murder of colonists, cutting off trade, transporting colonists overseas for pretended offences, abolishing laws, taking away charters, suspending legislatures, plundering the seas, burning towns, and destroying the lives of the people were just to name a few.

It was during this succession of tyranny that the colonies took their first step as a unified body. Meeting in Philadelphia from September 5, 1774, to the middle of October, "the good people of the several colonies" sent delegates to "sit in general Congress" This was the first group of Americans ever to be assembled under one roof as representatives of the people. They came to be known as the First Continental Congress, and their mission was "to obtain such establishment as that their religion, laws, and liberties may not be subverted." Twelve states were represented (Georgia had sent no delegates.)

What resulted was the "Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress". It stated that since Americans were free-born subjects of the king, they had the same rights to life, liberty and happiness as free-born subjects living in England. They proclaimed that since the King could not be bothered with granting them representation in Parliament, they reserved the "free and exclusive power" of making their own laws. The Declaration, mentioned our grievances and ended with three "peaceable measures" which Congress had "for the present only hoped to pursue." Their intent was to influence Britain to "restore us to a state in which both countries found happiness and prosperity."

The three "peaceable measures" were:

1. Stopping all trade with England and committing Americans not to consume any British goods.

2. An "open letter" to the people of Britain and America explaining why it was taking such action.

3. An "open letter" to the King explaining the same.

The First Continental Congress then resolved to meet as another Congress in May, 1775, once again in Philadelphia.

The Rebellion

Needless to say, the Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress did not go over too well with the British. Tensions increased. By February of 1775, British Parliament declared the state of Massachusetts to be in open rebellion against the Crown. They instituted military law there. Such a proclamation would surely affect to aligned states as well. Two months later, the British army sent a military expedition from Boston to complete a two fold mission. They were to march to Concord to confiscate ammunition from the colonists and to Lexington to arrest leaders of the "rebellion" -- John Hancock, and Samuel Adams. The brave people of Massachusetts had finally had enough. A shot was fired that was heard "round the world" and the British were met with ambush straight back to Boston.

By this time the Second Continental Congress was about to convene. Once gathered in Philadelphia, they assumed emergency powers and acted without specific authorization as a temporary government. They began to work together as a unified effort preparing for armed rebellion. Georgia sent delegates and unity was complete. George Washington was appointed commanding general of the Continental Army, which would consist of the forces in Massachusetts and any others that could be raised. The Battle of Bunker Hill fought on July 17, 1775, was fought before Washington could get there to take command more than a year before we declared our independence from England.

America was preparing for war for the first time.

The Declaration

Even as late as January 1776, many of our Founders thought that peace could still be established. They thought perhaps we could still win our seat in Parliament and "work it out with the other parties" if you will. This of course would not happen. Thomas Paine wrote "Common Sense" that month as well, igniting the spirit of independence. In the months that followed impassioned speeches were given from state to state and on June 7th, 1776 . . . Richard Henry Lee brought a resolution to the floor of the Congress that would change America forever. It read:

"RESOLVED, 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."

The Founders debated Lee’s resolution. Heated argument followed. The final vote was approved on July 1st 1776 by a 9-2 vote. South Carolina and Pennsylvania opposed. New Your abstained. Delaware deadlocked. Because unification was needed, it was moved that the final vote be postponed one day.

On July 2nd the stage was set. The Pennsylvania delegation was 4-3 against independence. Two of their delegates Robert Morris and John Dickinson "left" the building during the vote since they felt personally bound. Under unit law this allowed their state to vote in favor. Caesar Rodney from Delaware, (who suffered from facial cancer) raced non-stop during the night for 80 miles in a thunderstorm -- wearing out 3 horses to attend. He broke the tie in Delaware saying:

"As I believe the voice of my constituents and of all sensible and honest men is in favor of independence, and my own judgment concurs with them, I vote for independence"

By speaking those words, he could never go to England to be treated for his cancer. He knew he would die an early and terrible death.

South Carolina voted in favor. New York still abstained.

Five men were chosen for a committee to draft a "Declaration of Independence" immediately after Lee’s resolution had been introduced. Of that committee, Thomas Jefferson was picked to write the document. On July 3rd, after a few minor adjustments by his fellow committee members, the final draft was submitted to the Congress.

The following story is told of the event:

"Outside a blue-eyed boy watched patently for the word. If the Congress voted for Independence -- he was to tell an old man in the clock tower to ring the bell. Suddenly a loud shout came from below -- "Ring! Ring!!" the boy shouted. The old man grasped the iron tongue of the bell, backward and foreword he hurled it a hundred times, resounding the words from Leviticus that surrounded the bell. "Proclaim Liberty to all the land -- and to the inhabitants thereof" It came to be known as the "Liberty Bell". (-- "The Lives of the Signers"-- an 1848 publication by B. J. Lossing)

Only John Hancock, The President of Congress, signed the Declaration that day. It was ordered engrossed in the annals of Congress and with his name alone it was sent out to the world. The Declaration was read in the streets from state to state. Washington had it read to his troops. It was agreed that a month would be given for the men to prepare for the worst before the actual signing. By doing so they would be in open rebellion against the Crown. On July 15th, New York finally voted to allow their delegates to approve the Declaration becoming the 13th colony to proclaim independence.

Their Sacred Honor

It was on August 2nd that the others signed. They each knew that there would be a death sentence for all who did. William Ellery of Rhode Island moved to the table "to see how they all looked as they signed what might be their death warrants". John Hancock had been the first to sign, and the largest. "There!" he said. "His Majesty can now read my name without spectacles and can now double his reward to $500 pounds for my head. That is my defiance," he went on to say, "We must be unanimous." To which Ben Franklin added, "Yes, we must all hang together, or we most assuredly we will all hang separately."

Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island was the second oldest signer. He suffered from palsy. As he signed he said, "My hand trembles -- but my heart does not. "

Charles Carol from Maryland was one of the wealthiest men in America at that time. As he backed away from the table after signing one of the delegates whispered, "There go a few millions!"

And so it went on with each signer.

They pledged to each other "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of a divine Providence, we mutually pledge our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

Nine died of wounds or hardships from the war. Five were jailed and brutally treated. One lost all thirteen children, many of the others lost wives, sons, and daughters. Seventeen signers lost everything they owned. They were hunted as traitors and were chased from their families.

John Morton of Pennsylvania was the first to die in 1777. He was even rejected by his family and friends -- many of whom, were Tories. Ignored even in his death bed -- he proclaimed "Tell them that they will live to see the hour when they acknowledge the signing to have been the most glorious service that I have ever rendered my country."

and they did!

William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, and Lewis Morris all from NY had their homes destroyed by the British. Livingston died on the run in 1778. Floyd’s wife escaped with the children -- but never saw her home again. She died in 1781. Francis Lewis was away at the time. His wife was thrown into a prison with horrible conditions after being treated brutally. She died shortly after being released in 1778. Morris was forced to live in poverty for years.

John Heart of New Jersey was forced to leave his dying wife at her bedside. He was hunted by dogs and soldiers, forced to live in the woods and caves, during the icy December cold. When he returned home he found that his wife had died, and that his thirteen children had been scattered throughout the land or in captivity. He died of a broken heart on the third anniversary of the Declaration.

Richard Stockton of New Jersey was betrayed by a British loyalist and imprisoned. He was beaten and starved. When he left prison he was an invalid who died at 51 a short time later.

Abraham Clark from New Jersey had two sons captured by the British and held on the hell ship "Jersey". He was offered their freedom if he would abandon his American cause, but he refused. When the other members of Congress heard of his loyalty, they issued a direct order to George Washington to capture a British prisoner, "preferably an officer," and "starve him to death in a dark hole." The very communication of this order ended the persecution of the Clark brothers. They lived to see freedom.

Thomas Nelson Jr. of Virginia was a militia commander. He owed a stately brick mansion in Yorktown which the occupying British were using as a headquarters. During the siege of Yorktown, the British were under heavy attack from some 16,000 American troops, 3,000 Virginia militia, and the French fleet. The artillery gunners he noticed were shelling everything in the vicinity expect his mansion. When he questioned this and learned they wanted to spare his property, he shouted "Give me the cannon!" The next shot ripped through his mansion -- killing the officers inside and destroying the Nelson home. He died in poverty -- paying off his wartime debts.

From South Carolina, three of the signers Thomas Heyward Jr, Arthur Middleton, and Edward Rutledge were captured. They were offered amnesty if they would renounce the American cause. They refused to do so. While in a stockade in St. Augustine Florida, Heyward defied the guards by writing new words to "God Save the King". He taught the prisoners to sing "God Save the States". After winning his freedom, he returned to find his wife dead.

Not one of the signers ever renounced the Declaration however. Not one went back on their word. Not all perished either. Half continued on to serve their country. Several became Presidents, many served as members of Congress, governors, or state legislators. A number went on to help draft the United States Constitution.

Restoring our Liberty

They bled and died for us. They pledged their Lives, their fortunes, and their sacred Honor -- for us to be free.

The next time you pass by our flag, please take a moment to consider those Stars and Stripes. For all the soldiers who died with that flag in their hands. The great history that flag holds.

They gave us the spirit of reform, and we have to keep it alive. Compared to what they went though our excuses seem petty.

This is what we celebrate on the 4th of July --

Freedom!