English: This is a high-resolution image of the United States Declaration of Independence (article (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4th 1776.
Each of the 56 men who signed the Declaration knew that in doing so they signed their own death warrants and endangered their families and all they owned. They believed that much in their convictions.
When Samuel Adams signed the Declaration, he said:
“We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come.”
The above bit of history is from one of my favorite sites–the American Minute, by William J. Federer. You can find amazing facts and learn of our country’s history from original quotes at the site, convenient for reading in small bits.
In honor of our dear Nation’s birthday, I did an exhaustive five minute search of the web and came up with these quotes. Enjoy!
A general dissolution of the principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy…. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader…. If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security. ~Samuel Adams, politician and leader in the Revolution
That the sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and when the government assumes other functions it is usurpation and oppression. ~Alabama Declaration of Rights
“The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls,” Elizabeth Cady Stanton, US women’s rights activist (1815 – 1902)
Freedom unexercised may become freedom forfeited. ~Margaret Chase Smith
God Bless us all.
Curtiss Ann Matlock 
“We must all hang together, or assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” _ Benjamin Franklin.
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I’m getting a deeper understanding of what the signers of the Declaration, those amazing men who had a vision of a new country like none on earth, gave up. They gave everything, because of courage of conviction. This is the same thing that those such as Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis gave in attempting to preserve states rights and stop unfair tariffs, although this is not usually recognized. I have grave doubts that I could do such a thing.
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Thank you for sharing all this great information. So much of this has been forgotten in today’s world. Happy July 4th!!
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