What is Freedom
Worth to You?
Over 200 years ago the founding fathers signed their names
to a document declaring their independence from Britain. The document stated that they pledged their
lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor in support of that
declaration. Those men knew that they
would be accused of treason. “The penalty
for treason was to be hanged by the head until unconscious then cut down and
revived. Then disemboweled and
beheaded. Then cut into quarters. Each quarter was boiled in oil. The remnants were scattered abroad so that the
last resting place of the offender would remain forever unnamed, un-honored and
unknown” (Making of America). The
founders sacrificed personal benefit for the good of the country, for freedom.
Robert Morris was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was self-educated, owned his own business
and was extremely wealthy. When Congress
went bankrupt, Robert gave $10,000 to feed and clothe General Washington’s
militia. Another time Washington pled
with Robert to provide more money. He
borrowed money with his word that he would pay it back. At the commencement of the battle at
Yorktown, Washington needed more money.
Robert raised all that was asked.
Time after time he gave his own resources or used his credit to raise
money to keep the militia going. When
the war ended, Robert spent 5 years in debtors’ prison. He understood the value of sacrificing
personal benefit for the freedom of the colonies.
Francis Lewis was another signer of the Declaration who
sacrificed for the good of the country.
He was well educated and had built a successful business. The British troops were ordered to attack his
home and seize his wife. Soldiers
advance from one side and a war ship attacked from the other. Shots were fired. The soldiers destroyed books, papers, pictures
and furniture, and then captured Mrs. Lewis.
She was thrown into prison, not allowed a change of clothing and only
given small amounts of food. She soon
dies from the poor treatment. Francis
lived alone for the next 24 years.
One thing that these men and the other founders had in
common was their education. They were
all well read and had read most of the same books. George Washington took fencing lessons and
devoured books so he’d be quick with a sword and quick with his mind.
John Adams was bored with school and originally wanted to be
a farmer like is father. His father kept
him home for a day, but encouraged him to continue his studies. Adams later confessed that he didn’t like his
teacher. His father found another
teacher and Johan began to study with greater interest. He discovered that he loved books and loved
to study.
Benjamin Franklin taught himself to read and write. He father discussed whatever Benjamin was
reading. Sometimes he would read through
much of the night.
Even though Thomas Jefferson’s father died when he was 14,
he was able to continue his education.
He learned Greek and Latin so he could read works in their original
language. He loved learning.
The founders taught the importance of education. Jefferson said, “If a nation expects to be
ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and
never will be.” Franklin said, “Wise and
good men are the strength of the state more so that riches or arms.”
The declaration teaches that we have certain God-given rights. The founders also teach that the rights have
certain duties and that one of those duties is to stay informed.
Abraham Clark was another signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was a successful entrepreneur and a veracious
reader. He was known as the poor man’s
attorney because he took cases from people who couldn’t afford to pay. After the signing of the Declaration, the British
captured his 2 sons and put them on a slave ship. The soldiers told Abraham they would only give
his sons only water until he signed a document saying he would take back his
signature. Abraham begged for his
sons. He offered to trade his own
life. The British said they didn’t want him; they wanted him to sign a document
saying he would take back his signature.
He talked to his wife. They decided
to gather all their money and possessions and exchange them for their sons. The British refused to trade saying they only
wanted Abraham to sign a document saying he would take back his signature. He returned to his wife. They talked and prayed and came to a decision. Abraham returned to the slave ship. He told the British, “I will give you my life,
I will give you my fortune, buy my sacred honor is not mine to give” and he
walked away.
We aren’t asking you to sacrifice all your money or your family. All we are asking is that you sacrifice some
of you time to read these books, to study these documents and to learn these
principles so that when you are asked to lead you will be ready. What is freedom worth to you?
