It was a day unlike any other day, when on July 8, the Declaration of Independence was read in public for the first time in Philadelphia. The year was 1776 and it was published in newspapers, copied, reprinted, and widely disseminated throughout the colonies.
Upon being elected to the Second Continental Congress in 1775, Thomas Jefferson drafted the "Declaration of Causes and Necessities of Taking up Arms." During the first Continental Congress, (which he did not attend because of his wife's illness) Jefferson sent A Summary View of the Rights of British America, which advocated a natural right to self government for America.
I believe it is very important to always realize this was not a decade of rebellion, but rather a decade of taking and reclaiming a freedom that the people of the colonies were afforded before the tyranny of the government of Great Britain.
Thomas Paine, a man of great insight wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense. Common Sense caused a decisive and spontaneous change in thought and action across America. The word first whispered by John Adams to members of Congress-"INDEPENDENCE"-was now shouted across the land.
George Washington at a low point of morale had Common Sense read aloud to the troops, and stated that it had "sound doctrine and un-answer able reasoning" and that it was "working a powerful change in the minds of many men."
In the writings of Common Sense, Thomas Paine openly advocated a new and original political thought. "Power of the People."
Common Sense was read aloud on city streets, passed around schools and preached from the pulpits of churches. (now days progressives are disconnect from such a thought) It was heard by almost every American citizen and in turn transformed them into patriots with a fearless spirit. And after returning from the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Colonel Christopher Gadsden burst into South Carolina's provincial congress carrying a copy of Common Sense in one hand and in the other, a handmade yellow flag bearing the inscription: "DON'T TREAD ON ME." (today known as the Gadsden Flag) He immediately advocated "absolute independence for America."
When Common Sense was first released, the Continental Congress watched and waited for the reaction of the people at large.
On May 15, Congress recommended that the individual colonies sever all relations with Great Britain and created new and independent governments. This resolution was introduced by none other than John Adams. The man that years earlier had refused to have his ships boarded and was arrested for it back in 68. He had proposed the idea in 1774, but now was the time.
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution with three primary elements: 1) formulation of new continental constitution. 2) establishment of foreign commercial alliances, and 3) a declaration of independence.
Four days later on June11, Congress established a committee of five to draft the document. The appointed members were: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingstion and Thomas Jefferson. The members asked Jefferson to take the job of writing the declaration. Jefferson was asked to write the document because he was thought well of through out all the colonies and it was considered support would be thought of as well. Adams gave three reasons why he wanted Jefferson to take the lead. These are the reason he gave in a conversation with Jefferson: 1) He was a Virginian. 2) Adams said, "I am obnoxious, suspected and unpopular." "You are very much otherwise." 3) Telling Jefferson, "you can write ten times better than I can."
The humility and self-knowledge displayed by John Adams paved the way for the creation of one of the most compelling documents in History.
Jefferson took two weeks to draft the Declaration of Independence. Franklin and Adams reviewed Jefferson's first draft, made a few minor revisions, but it was presented to the entire Congress largely untouched. The birth of a nation was about to take its first breath of air.
John Adams quickly became the Declarations most ardent advocate in an attempt to persuade the doubting states. Thomas Paine was one of the main lobbyist (yes there was lobbyist then) in favor of the Declaration. But it was George Washington's report that a British fleet of more than a hundred vessels had sailed into New York Bay that did it. The fleet seemed to be an all out attack on American positions and the final straw.
The Declaration was not only to declare independence, but to justify a separation from Great Britain. The Declaration was specifically aimed at King George III, largely because the colonies had already disclaimed Parliament's authority.
PEOPLE NOW HAD A COMMON CAUSE.
Similar to Common Sense, the Declaration of Independence was an act of treason against the government of Great Britain.
John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration. He signed in large letters so that King George III "might read it without his spectacles." John said. This may have been some displayed anger because of his arrest back in 1768.
"We must be unanimous" said Hancock to the others on July 4. "There must be no pulling different ways. We must all hang together."
"YES," replied Ben Franklin, "we must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."
The founding fathers knew there would now be no turning back. It was all or nothing. The last line in Jefferson's document stated their dedication: "FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE DECLARATION...WE MUTUALLY PLEDGE TO EACH OTHER OUR LIVES, OUR FORTUNES, AND OUR SACRED HONOR."
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