Loyalty
By Andrew, FPP Intern
“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.” – Declaration of Independence
This powerful sentence is the last sentence in one of the most famous documents in history. Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, understood that if the colonies did not stick together they would not stand a chance against Britain.
Benjamin Franklin, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence also understood the gravity of the document and situation. On the surface, Franklin was an unlikely candidate to have been a powerful force in America’s early government. He was a printer by trade and an inventor at heart. From bifocals to lightning rods to a simplistic odometer, Franklin was ever curious. Writing under a pseudonym, Franklin published a little book titled “Poor Richard’s Almanac”, which became a best seller in Colonial America selling up to 10,000 copies each year. The book was filled with short sayings, offerings of wisdom and clever wordplay. Some of the phrases remain popularly today, such as, “Early to bed early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Known for his wise and witty sayings, Franklin made the following comment as he signed the Declaration of Independence, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
The founders of America were all keenly aware of the risk they were taking as they committed their names to the cause of freedom. They were putting their lives, fortunes and families on the line. Each signer was in danger of being executed if captured by the British. In the face of this very real threat, the colonists devoted their loyalty to each other, to God, and to America. This loyalty was one of the key reasons why America was able to gain independence. May we once again find those who are willing to dedicate their lives to the perilous cause of freedom and truth in America today.
