The Holly chieftain., 1909-03-19

Adams, Roger Sherman. BenJa-
min Franklin and Robert Living
ston. Richardson says, 1T fell to
Jefferson lot to write the most
famous political document III
modern history"
On July /. the discussion OF
Lees resolution was recommenc
ed. A great deal OF opposition
was met with. Men argued that
it would never do. If they should
fail. which seemed very probable.
nothing but the gallows awaited
them. But John Adams with his
powerful eloquence convinced
them, that the war had to go on,
that the world would be better
,leased and England more ready
to make peace after the Declara
ton OF independence was made
known. Accordingly, July ?.
congress adopted the resolution.
Then on July 3 and 4 the for
NAL Declaration was discussed
and few clauses stricken ont. On
the evening OF July 4. it was for
mally adopted aud signed by neal
ly all the members. Then it was
read to the waiting crowd outside
and copies OF it were sent all
over the colonies. Everywl,cr,
it was enthusiastically received.
and inspired the people with new
hopes.
The Declaration of Independ-
ence. in brief. tells. first. OF sell
evident truths; as all men are Gre
ated equal, and all have inherent
rights of life. liberty and the pur-
suit of happiness. 1t teaches the
doctrine OF consent of government
by the governed, and that peo-
pie have right to change a gov
ernment whenever it impairs their
liberty. 1t proves the tyranny OF
King George and his ministers.
1t concludes that the United Col
onies are and of right ought to
be free and independent states
and to the support of these prin-
ciples the members of congress
pledged their lives their fortunes
and their sacred honor.
As work of literature the
Declaration OF Independence is
considered excellent, Its Ian
guage." says Painter, ''is correct,
clear and strong" 1t is quite re-
markable that document com
posed in such snort period OF
time was SO perfect i'll construc-
ton as to be accepted by con-
gress with so very few altera-
tions, "Withal how simple it is,
how spontaneousr says Haw-
thorne, What masculine compos-
lure is combined with what sim
cerity!'
The results of the Declaration
OF Independence were great and
far reaching, The success of the
Revolutionary war was attained
by the spirit of patriotism it in.
spired and the aid from France
which came Immediately after its
publication. The Constitution
was direct ontgrowth of it. |,
necessitated and resulted in a
closer union of the colonies which
afterward developed into our fed
rral government. Our free pub
lie school system, our progress ir
science and invention. and oul
rapid growth in population ane
wealth are all due in large meas
ure to our consistent following o
its principles.
The Declaration of Independ
ence signifies great many thing.
to Americans. Chief among thes.
signihcations is Liberty.s TIL,
love of liberty was the, smair
cause of the Declarations birtl
and is the principal thing 70,
which it stands. Union. equa
rights and republican form o
government are all symbolized b,
the Declaration. 1t signifies un
ion OF both states and people, til,
equal political and religious right
OF all American citizens, and
5 'ernmcnt so formed as to as
su.> hose rights forever.
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