In our country today, there are people who dismiss their founding father through the 2022 prism. If these people get lost, remove all plaques, statues, or words. This is a celebration of the male genius and courageous action that signed the Declaration of Independence.
For example, on July 3, 2019, a journalist at Vox announced thislittle gem. To the minority of American white men.
When 56 men signed the Declaration in Philadelphia in 1776 (each literally a warrant of death), I think "identity politics" was the furthest from their hearts. Houses were burned, livestock slaughtered, and wives arrested for dare to add their names to the most exciting documents known to humankind, especially for those imprisoned.
Each of the 56 men who put their quill on parchment knew it was very likely that they had signed their execution warrant. Not only did John Hancock know that, he deliberately increased his risk to himself. Why? Legend has it that he pulled up Ante, so George III "can read my name without glasses and double the reward for my head."
Over 100,000 men were American University during the Revolutionary War An army that served the Army, out of a population of 2.5 million. About 200,000 more served as militias. In total, about 70,000 people died in active military service against the tyranny of the British Empire. That's almost 10 million losses today.
Like Hancock, each man who dared to sign the declaration expected to pay the full price. Francis Ruiz of New York has long been rumored to be one of the leaders of the Sons of Liberty. This was a grassroots group of provocatives who used civil disobedience to oppose the British and was more expensive than expected.
Lewis was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775 and declared in August. Signed. 2, 1776. Unfortunately, just a few days later, just because of his independence, he was targeted by the British Army. British troops sent troops to destroy his home. In the process, they took his wife, Elizabeth, her prisoner, ate only rotten food, without her bed or change of clothes, and locked her in her cell of damp stones. rice field. She was released when General George Washington learned of her plight and ordered the arrest of the wife of the British Treasury. Then Washington began exchanging women. Sadly, it was too late to save Elizabeth. Elizabeth later died in the savage state she suffered.
Next is John Hurt in New Jersey. He was already a celebrity because he sought independence while chairing Congress. He was elected to represent the 2nd Continental Congress in June 1776 and signed the Declaration on August 2. By December of that year, British troops had advanced as Continental troops were forced to retreat across New Jersey. At Hart's house. His sick wife, Deborah, asked Hart to take his children safely, so he left them with his relatives until the Red Court broke up. I escaped to the frigid forest that had been hidden in the cave for weeks. After his return, he noticed that his wife had died and the British had destroyed his home and property.
By 1780, three signatories, Thomas Heyward Jr., Edward Rutledge, and Arthur Middleton, were taken prisoner during the Battle of Charleston. I did. Each was known to the crown not only as an enemy combatant, but also as the signatories of the Declaration. As a result, they were sent to a prisoner of war camp in Florida and regularly abused by prisoners.
These men who signed our declaration have freedom I knew it was far from — and the price I paid.
When we pause to commemorate the country's birthday, we need to remember their sacrifices and reject false claims from those who try to demonize them. I have. It's time to recognize who the founding father really is.
Hero.
Douglas Mackinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official and book author "56" – Lessons from those who have endangered everything to sign the Liberty Declaration of Independence. ”
