The Founding Fathers

The Founding Fathers

By Susan Steffen-Kraft

"Our forefathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal!"  from Abraham Lincoln
Many of those forefathers were the ones who participated in the American Revolution and established the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. These documents in turn were based off the Magna Carta and the Mayflower Compact. All were great documents. 

 Benjamin Franklin when he was asked "what have we got, a monarchy or a republic" replied "A republic if you can keep it!" We the People have failed. We have not kept our republic very well at all. 

If  we continue to give up our liberties for a little safety we do not deserve that liberty anyhow. With freedom always comes danger. Nothing is sure in this life and with liberty will always be some elements of surprise. But I for one will not trade my freedom for that temporary haven of safety. 

Patrick Henry was the one of the men who went to the Virgina Convention  and after giving his speech at the very end said, "Is life so dear or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it! Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, GIVE ME LIBERTY or GIVE ME DEATH!" 

And now-a-days I fear if we said that in Congress, they would haul us off to the loony bin or stone us on the Capitol steps. But our founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortune, and their sacred honor; which means they were willing to give everything they had. 

Fortune means the things you tangibly own whether you are rich or poor. Your sacred honor means your good name and reputation and keeping your word or oath. As for your life, it means you willing die for the cause you believe in. Would that many today would be these men and say and believe the same thing.
 
I do not mean losing your life for meaningless foreign wars or some useless nonsense. I mean your life for a deeply sincere and righteous cause. If you are speaking the truth or writing it then you must hold to what you say or it meant nothing for you to state that truth. Many standing together for such a cause may succeed. 

The problem is that many talk the talk and do not walk the walk!  And sadly few do that.
"The greatest want of the world is men, men who cannot be bought or sold... men who in their inmost souls are true and honest. Men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole and will stand for the right though the heavens fall. (Ed. 57.3)  
  
This description aptly fits the founding fathers. Though not perfect they could not be bought or sold when it came to their country and the duty they felt toward their fellow man. They defied a king from across the seas to follow what they knew was the right thing to do.

A lot of people feel you must use weapons to get your point across, but this is not true. The "pen is mightier then the sword"  in many cases, and if you but heed the warnings and pass them on you may stop evil in its tracks before it gets out of hand. The pen can be a more effective tool then violence in other words.

The Declaration of Independence(written 1 year into the war) and the Constitution(written after the war)were written by pen and the beliefs in them had been espoused and defended by many for that noble cause. 

Our countries two sacred documents pictured above and below.

They (the delegates to the Constitutional Convention) were also well educated men who knew what they were doing. It does pay to become well educated and well read.  Besides being educated they were dominant in their communities and prominent in national affairs. 29 had served in the Continental forces and in positions of command. Among them were lawyers and judges, and others of varying experience and careers.  What a group with great minds that put the Constitution together. We should be thankful for this as we are the beneficiaries  that get to  live in this country as a result of their efforts. 
Info from the Charters of Freedom

One of these very smart men said, " When we fear the government there is tyranny. When the government fears the people there is liberty!"  His name was Thomas Jefferson. He was the Principal Author of the Declaration of Independence and our 3rd President.

It takes courage to stand up and warn others of what is happening. Paul Revere was one such man. His ride in the dark to warn his fellow countrymen that the British were coming is what few would do today. 
 And while I am at it, I give credit to the forever anonymous horse that he rode since no one is sure of the horses name. 
 
And now I ask where are the Paul Revere's of today?  In a deep slumber I fear. It is time to arise and shake off the deep sleep and sound the alarm. No more complacency but only courage is needed. Time for people to listen and see what is happening around them. Time to become well educated  and stand for truth. Truth cannot be sacrificed on the alter of fear! Time to say Enough is Enough! Freedom isn't Free and with it may come the scorn of those who are content to go along with the crowd and who will swallow anything they say. They are sheeple because they refuse to recognize the real dangers to their freedoms.  The crowd is not always right my friends. Time to stand for your Republic with Liberty and Justice for All!