EDITORIAL: Fifty-six heroes who made a solemn pledge
CNHI News Service
This weekend marks the 233rd anniversary of a solemn pledge made by 56 brave men. They had grown tired of the tyrannical rule of an English king, and they signed what became known as the Declaration of Independence.
“And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor,” they wrote.
For many of those men, that final sentence proved all too true.
Robert Morris financed a good bit of the war effort from his own pocket. He lent the fledgling government $10,000 early in the war, and he continued throughout the war to underwrite the privateers sneaking supplies past the British naval blockades. Ten years after signing the Declaration of Independence, Morris died in relative poverty at the age of 73.
When New Jersey was overrun by the British in November of 1776, Richard Stockton managed to move his family to safety, but he was captured and imprisoned by the British. He lost all of his extensive library, his writings and all of his property, and he died a pauper in Princeton at the age of 51.
And then there was Carter Braxton, who lost nearly all of his wealth in the course of the revolution, and Thomas Heyward Jr., who was taken prisoner by the British while in command of a militia force during the siege of Charleston.
Arthur Middleton spent more than a year as a prisoner of war and then lost most of his fortune during the revolution.
This weekend we’ll celebrate that occasion 233 years ago in the way John Adams said we should — “with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of the continentto the other.”
We’ll gather to race a few lawnmowers or burn a few hot dogs, to catch a few fish or an occasional fly ball.
But in the midst of our games and picnics, our music and fireworks, we would do well to pause for a moment to reflect on the courage of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence and to ponder their legacy of freedom.
Thanks to their courage, we have the opportunity to live in the greatest country in the world, and in spite of the occasional setback, the grand experiment in self-government marches on.
Sales Interviews SALES. Joe Cecconi's Chrysler Complex, 2380 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304. Joe Cecconi's offers: Excellent pay ...>MORE
Warehouse Warehouse, Assembly Production & Cleaning 1st, 2nd & 3rd shifts Sanborn, Grand Island Amherst & Tona...>MORE
Nurse Practitioner Nurse Practitioner, Family or Geriatric Per diem visits, to complete an assessment form with a home visit. $40. per v...>MORE
BILINGUAL PHONE INTERVIEWER Bilingual Telephone interviewer. Surveys for insurance policy review. Spanish/English a Must. ft/pt & Sat. No sales/coll...>MORE
Grill Cook GRILL COOK & Waitresses, exp only, full time. Apply within 2021 Main St. Nia Falls ...>MORE
Hospitality/Tourism Instructor Hospitality/Tourism. NIAGARA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE is seeking applications for part-time instructor to teach hospita...>MORE
FOREMAN & LABORERS Basement Waterproofing co. needs a foreman & laborers for expanding business, exp. w/interior drain tile a plus, 471-723...>MORE
SHIPPING CLERK Shipping Clerk, p/t, 30-35 hrs. wk., exp. in warehouse environment, knowledge of Word/Excel, data entry, UPS, freight ch...>MORE
DRIVER Driver, light pick up & delivery, need own car, know WNY, valid NYS driver lic., good pay 694-1251...>MORE
Used Car Lot Helper USED CAR Lot Helper misc. duties, valid driver’s license, great work environment. For details 731-2319 ask for Mr. Dan...>MORE
Print this story
E-mail this story
