125th Anniversary Celebration - Sara Aldrich Richardson

This past weekend the SCDAR held its Fall Forum.  I had a new display on hand featuring the story of the Osage Orange Tree and the DAR.  In all of the research I have conducted, this is my absolute favorite story thus far.   If you were at the 2018 SCDAR State Conference Banquet celebrating the SCDAR’s 125^th anniversary, then you heard the story for yourself and received an osage orange tree seed.  For those of you who didn’t, here is a brief recap.  

watercolor of MCH proposed by architect Edward Pearce Casey

On the 12^th anniversary of the NSDAR at the exact time the 18 women and others gathered to officially form the Daughters of the American Revolution, President General Cornelia Fairbanks and Founder Mary Lockwood stepped out from under the tent in a blinding rainstorm to break the ground where our beautiful Memorial Continental Hall would stand.  Using what is now called the Montana Spade, the dirt was placed in a vase where 13 osage orange tree seeds were placed.  After the ceremony, the pot containing the 13 seeds was taken to the United States Propagating Gardens where the seeds (as well as additional seeds for all of the 45 states of the Union) were nurtured into well developed plants.  

Cornerstone Laying Ceremony for MCH on April 19, 1904

Two years later, the cornerstone for Memorial Continental Hall was placed in a special ceremony.  Later that evening, the seedlings were given to the State Regents of the 13 original colonies.  Lockwood presented the trees explaining their  purpose.  Symbolically, the seeds from these trees once planted in the states were to be distributed among the chapters to typify the expansion of the principles of the struggle for American Independence, the growth of the society, and the perpetuation of the spirit of ’76.  

Article from The Washington Star 1904 Apr 22 which discusses the planing of the osage orange tree seeds

As part of the program that night at our celebration of the 125^th anniversary of the SCDAR, all who were in attendance received an osage orange tree seed with a brief explanation of its story.  It still makes me emotional thinking about SCDAR’s past State Outstanding Juniors handing out the seeds to those in attendance including family members of our deceased state regents!

Sara viewing her grandmother's shadow box for the first time in the 125th Museum

I still feel that there is much more to this story and hope to keep discovering more and more about it which I will share with you.

I thought it most appropriate that the Ceremony of Remembrance for Sara Aldrich Richardson be shared today since it was during her regency that this event took place.

Sara Aldrich Richardson

Mrs. Henry Warren

State Regent 1900-1906

#4853

The Longest Serving State Regent

                   19 April 1846 – Barnwell, SC

                   11 Oct 1928 – Columbia, SC

aged 82

                             Black Swamp Methodist Church Cemetery

                             Garnett, Hampton County, SC

Sara Aldrich Richardson was elected State Regent in 1900 and continued in office until 1906.Many important changes took place in the state organization during her regime. Rotation of Conference was determined, and the first Conference outside of Columbia was held in Spartanburg in 1904.At the last meeting in Columbia, 1903, a constitution and by-laws for the State Society was thoughtfully discussed and adopted. It was here, also, that The State offered a page in its Sunday issue for advancement and publicity of D AR work. This page in The State became the medium of communication between the state officers and the chapters until the administration of Grace Marshall 1936-39.

During the Charleston Exposition,she organized and held DAR Day, successfully giving desired publicity to the organization and arousing interest in its work. 

invitation issued for DAR Day at the Charleston Exposition

She planted the DAR tree (the osage orange tree) on the State House grounds bringing together the soil of the National Society and the soil of the state of South Carolina, and established a DAR relic room on the third floor of the State House.  She organized ten chapters.  She was intensely interested in the erection of the Partisan Monument. As chairman, ex officio, of the Central Committee, she worked indefatigably for the project and passed on to her successor well laid plans and a sum in the bank.

Partisan Monument

Many honors came to her in the National Society. She was a member of the committee to select the site for Continental Hall and was one of the speakers at the elaborate ceremonies when the first spade of dirt was turned. She was present at the laying of the corner stone of our beautiful marble building. Her intellectual training and ability made her a forceful speaker, which offered her numerous invitations to speak, and her advice was often sought in public debate on important subjects before Continental Congress.

I asked Sara Stork, Sara Richardson’s granddaughter to conduct this Ceremony of Remembrance.  I can only imagine how special that was for her to be the one to honor her loved one!  Not only did our State Regent at the time conduct a ceremony, family of one of our deceased State Regents led one while at others family members attended.  Members were still talking about how special that day was this weekend.  I am extremely blessed to have been in charge of the 125^th celebrations for the SCDAR’s anniversary!

125th Anniversary Celebration - Annie Munnerlyn

I want to thank the members of the Pee Dee Chapter for making this Ceremony of Remembrance a reality.  They were responsible for remembering Annie Munnerlyn.  Annie Munnerlyn was the State Regent responsible for work that became a part of our 125^th Anniversary Celebrations.  The first was the rededication of the SCDAR Tribute Grove.  That day was such a beautiful day and wonderful tribute to the work of our former daughters.  If you have not read about that re-dedication ceremony, please check out the blog archives.  It was published in October of 2017.  She was also responsible for moving the battleship silver from the Old Exchange in Charleston to the Governor’s Mansion in Columbia.  Many were able to see the battleship silver first hand when they attended the 125^th Anniversary Tea at the Governor’s Mansion that I organized as part of our celebration during our 2018 state conference.

Annie Marie Cantelou Munnerlyn

Mrs. Henry Jackson Munnerlyn

State Regent 1946-1949

#246667

                   31 May 1892 – Edgefield County, SC

                   21 Mar 1979

                             Sunset Memorial Park

                             Bennettsville, Marlboro County, SC

Chapters over-subscribed its quota to the stained-glass window in Memorial Bell Tower at Valley Forge.  As a result, the State Regent’s name was inscribed on the plaque.

She presented Pickens and Moultrie awards to Clemson and Citadel cadets.

She promoted development of Cowpens battleground into a military park.

She was presented national award for sponsoring and marking the only DAR Tribute Grove in the U.S.A.  A resolution was passed by House, concurrent in Senate congratulating the State Regent for establishing the only tribute grove in the U.S.A.

She was awarded a descendant of the elm tree under which General George Washington assumed command of Continental Army.  This elm was planted on State House grounds with a plaque. 

She was appointed by President of the United States and President General Talmadge, to serve as member of Advisory Council Womens’ Interest Unit War Department Public Relations Division, and she attended many meetings at forts.

She was appointed by S. C. Governor to serve on the committee to study disposition of Fort Moultrie and attended the many meetings.

SCDAR honored her by establishing a room in Administration Building of NSDAR.  Her name was inscribed on a plaque on the door.

She edited and published a monthly bulletin featuring Tamassee on the cover and mailed one to each member S. C. DAR.  She promoted all projects for Tamassee and saw the greatest total of funds given to Tamassee in six years. The scholarships increased 100% allowing for the purchase of a stoker, refrigerator, and farm equipment. Over 1000 Christmas stockings were filled and sent to Tamassee by truck.  She accompanied a reporter of The State newspaper and covered Christmas at Tamassee.  

The Grace C. Marshall scholarship was established, and the ground was broken and the foundation was laid for May Talmadge auditorium and Edna Gibson Chapel at Tamassee.  She sponsored Memorial Acres and the star-shaped lights along Memorial Drive at Tamassee honoring State Regents.  She served as the hostess for to first bus trip by NSDAR members to Tamassee Founders’ Day.

By a resolution passed by SCDAR State Conference, she, with her attorney, removed from the vault in the dungeon of Old Exchange, the battleship silver. It was carried to Columbia under supervision of the Governor’s deputies September 10, 1947 and was placed Governor’s mansion.  She made a scrapbook featuring S. C. battleship which was presented to SCDAR Library.  She, with services of her attorney and accountant, closed out the Old Exchange matter on September 11, 1947 by authority of SCDAR.  The accountant’s report made and a copy was sent to The Rebecca Motte Chapter.

She presided at following dedications: Grace C. Marshall gates, Mrs. Hayne Jones marker, cornerstone Edla Gibson Chapel, Memorial Acres at Tamassee, the only Tribute Grove in the United States, the Washington Elm in Columbia, the Poinsett Bridge in Greenville, the Lt. Reuben Long marker in Sumter, and the marker on the Pee Dee River to first Welsh settlers 1735.

Many hours spent, many miles traveled, phone calls made, telegrams sent, and letters written during her tenure; however, the accomplishments were only made possible by cooperation of state officers, chairman, regents, and members.

125th Anniversary Celebration - Frances Louise Hudson Mayes

I want to thank Honorary State Regent Dianne Culbertson for mentioning my project “Reflections of Our Treasured Past,” my blog, the 125th celebrations I organized, and the Ceremonies of Remembrance in her State Regent’s report from this past Continental Congress.  As a result, we have many new followers.  To “catch everyone up” as the saying goes, let me begin by letting you know where we are.

The SCDAR celebrated its 125^th anniversary on May 10, 2018.  I wanted to do something special on that day and came up with the idea of placing a white carnation tied with a blue ribbon on the grave of every deceased state regent that had served the SCDAR at a set time that day.  In addition, I wanted as many SCDAR members to participate in this as possible.

Having received permission from Dianne to proceed, I wrote the script that everyone would begin reading at 3:00.  I researched each state regent’s accomplishments during their tenure and wrote summaries that were all about the same length in order for the carnations to be placed on the respective graves at the same minute of the day.  I began locating the graves of the deceased state regents and contacting the chapters.   For some chapters, multiple members were state regents; therefore, I contacted other chapters in the area to increase the participation.  For some regents, their respective chapter was too far away to conduct the ceremony; therefore, I contacted the chapter nearest to the grave.  Today’s blog post is one of those.  I also encourage you to read the post about Doris Dunn, located in the archives, which shows God’s hand in this process.  It was extraordinary and a cherished story for me.

This was quite the undertaking to make happen, and for awhile, I wasn’t sure it was going to become a reality for every deceased state regent.  You see, I had written all of the summaries for the 31 regents only to have them disappear from my computer.  I had to rewrite all of them while working to contact the chapters and answering questions.  It became very hectic and very stressful while working full time.   I still don’t know what happened to those summaries.  In addition, I had regents that I could not find a chapter willing to participate.  Whew!  In the end, God provided.

Having interrupted the Ceremonies of Remembrance with the wonderful rededications at the SC State House, it is time to continue with these beautiful tributes to the remarkable women who led the SCDAR throughout its 125 years.  Frances Louise Hudson Mayes is one of those remarkable women.  In speaking with one of her great-granddaughters, I learned just what a remarkable woman she was.  She did so much for so many.  She definitely had a servant’s heart and worked tirelessly through the church and church missions to bring a better life to and for others.  Is there any doubt that she would have been touched by the situation of the children of the mountains and want to start a school for them to make a difference in their lives?  It is unfortunate that this blog will not be able to truly convey her essence, her heart, her love for others.  I hope that you will, however, get a sense of it.

Frances Louise Hudson Mayes

Mrs. Francis James

State Regent 1910-1914

#42688

Shared her vision for Tamassee at her first state conference and started fund to build the school during her final state conference

                   30 Nov 1859

                   16 Mar 1923

                   Aged 63

                             Mayesville Black River Cemetery

                             Mayesville, Sumter County, SC

Frances Louise Hudson Mayes was elected State Regent at Greenwood, November 1909, serving from 1910-1914. The outstanding feature of her regency was the completion of the monument to the Partisan Generals, known as the Partisan Monument, which stands on the State House grounds.  Anxious to complete the project during her term of office, and fearing that the Daughters could not raise the required sum and also carry on their state and national work, she personally appeared before the Legislature and made a plea for $2,000.  So entirely did she captivate the lawmakers that thirty minutes after her entry into the hall she had been voted the amount asked. She presided over the dedicatory ceremonies in November 1913.

Senate Chamber, SC State House

Mrs. Mayes organized eight chapters and reported in one year a gain of 123 in state membership. 

While interested in all phases of patriotic work, her heart yearned toward the problem of education for the mountain children, particularly those of South Carolina.  It was from her that the SCDAR not only caught the first vision of what has developed into our splendid Tamassee DAR School, but at her final state conference, a committee to select a site was appointed and funds for the school had been placed in the bank.   Strong hands and willing hearts caught the torch she had thrown, a site was chosen, and the work to begin Tamassee was begun.  Even though she was not in office when Tamassee opened its doors, she did live to see Tamassee established. A portrait of her was hung on the auditorium wall, presented with touching ceremonies by her beloved chapter, Nathanael Greene.  

Sumter's Home Chapter Regent Kathy Barrett

Thank you to the Sumter's Home Chapter for Regent Kathy Barrett and Linda Hawkins for conducting the Ceremony of Remembrance for Mayes.  Even though she was a member of the Nathanael Greene Chapter, she was buried in Mayesville located in Sumter County.  

Sumter's Home Chapter member Linda Hawkins

Thank you, Louise Mayes, for your vision for Tamassee and your efforts that allowed for Tamassee to be able open its doors to so many children.  Even though Tamassee no longer serves “mountain” children, the services the school provides are just as important today, if not more so, than it was when it first started.

125th Anniversary - Rededications of the State House - Bancroft Tablet

Before beginning the rededication of the tablet commemorating the South Carolinians who participated in the Revolutionary War, I want to tell you that this the last of the rededications at the South Carolina State House.  I want to thank Dianne Culbertson, Emily De-Quincey Newman, Nancy Bunch, Sara Stork giving of their time to make the rededications possible.  I hope you enjoyed the new feature of the videos.  I know the next purchase I make will be a good tripod!

I also want to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July!  I didn't plan the last two posts to come right before our nation's birthday, but I know who did.  I hope this post and the previous one will inspire you to ponder and celebrate our nation's birthday in a new light and with a renewed sense of purpose.  May your patriotic fervor be evident year round; may be infectious; and may everyone around you "catch it."

first public reading of the Declaration of Independence

Our nation's birthday was brought about with patriotic blood and great sacrifice.  Even at the darkest hour during the war, the light of freedom was shining and gave hope to persevere.  South Carolina's motto is Dum Spiro Spero which means "While I breathe, I hope."  That is exactly what our patriots did, they kept that hope alive in their hearts giving them the strength to persevere, and that perseverance eventually brought about the freedoms that we enjoy today.  Again, I wish you and your family a very Happy Fourth of July!!!

Let us begin the last of the rededications.

On the north stairwell adjacent to the Tablet to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence from South Carolina hangs the tablet honoring the men and women from South Carolina who gave service during the American Revolution.  This memorial has a sad story attached to it concerning one of our state regents.

Script for the Re-dedication Ceremony Monuments, Tablets, and Medallions Placed by the SCDAR at the SC State House

South Carolina State House Grounds

June 13, 2018

Written by Penny Renwick

DIANNE:

On the north wall of the west landing of the stairway up to the rotunda and next to the tablet erected to the South Carolina signers of the Declaration of Independence hangs the Bancroft tablet.

PENNY:

On March 5, 1942, the Bancroft tablet commemorating the South Carolinians who participated in the Revolutionary War was formally presented to the state.  The program had been arranged by the general assembly and the SCDAR who together made possible the erection of the memorial.

One of the most important pieces of work accomplished during Susie Allan’s regency was securing of money from the South Carolina Legislature for the erection of this tablet.  The idea for the tablet was conceived by Judge Hugh Haynsworth of Sumter who secured the cooperation of the Sumter’s Home Chapter in presenting this project to the SCDAR.  Through the efforts of the state society, state regent, and state historian, the money was secured from the Legislature. 

Unfortunately, tragedy struck the SCDAR, when Mrs. Allan was fatally wounded in a car accident returning from a DAR meeting in Aiken.  The event was postponed until the next year.  A cherished wish to see this project completed during her administration, she did get to see the Bancroft Memorial hanging in its place in the State House and had planned much of the program for the day prior to her death.

State Regent Mary Doyle led a meaningful dedication ceremony with a heavy heart that Mrs. Allan was not present but a joyful one in that she had seen her cherished wish come to fruition.

DIANNE:

South Carolina saw more skirmishes and battles than any other state of our country.  Men and women from all walks of life and all regions of the state came together in defense of our fledgling nation.  It took the efforts of everyone of our patriots to ensure the victory at Yorktown.

The SCDAR rededicates the Bancroft Memorial in recognition of the service of the men and women of 1776 who joined together up and down the Atlantic coast not as South Carolinians, Virginians, or Pennsylvanians, but as Americans to stand up to a formidable adversary to bring liberty and justice to all. 

DIANNE:

Our benediction will be given by the Emily DeQuincey Newman Regent of the Columbia Chapter, the first chapter organized in our state which in turn created the state society.

BENEDICTION: EMILY DEQUINCEY NEWMAN

Heavenly Father, as we leave here today we thank you for the opportunity to  remember the work of our state society over its 125 year history here at the South Carolina State House which paid tribute to the men and women of 1776.  We thank You for the men and women, who as John Adams stated, bought liberty for us “at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood” in order for there to be peace for their children. 

We thank You for the members of the SCDAR who have worked toward the greater good these past 125 years during times of war, depressions/recessions, pandemics, and during the highs and lows of our nation’s history. 

We ask that You would make the history that we of today leave for future generations be just as awe inspiring as the history of our beginnings.  We ask that You would make the character of the women who have led us in our past be unmistakable in our leaders of the future.  We ask that You would make the enduring leadership of our past as evident as we move forward in our next century of service to God, Home, and Country.

Finally, we ask that You would continue make each of us, as citizens of these United States, worthy of the trust You have placed in us to serve God, Home and Country.

In Your Son’s name we pray, Amen.

DIANNE:

For more information on the tributes to the men and women from our Revolutionary past here at the State House, I invite you to follow Penny’s blog at Reflections of Our Treasured Past.  We thank you for taking the time to be with us via these video presentations.  This concludes the Rededications of the tributes located at our State House.

The War Between the States is often referred to as the Civil War; however, the first civil war was actually the Revolutionary War.   This civil war was extremely evident here in South Carolina often pitting neighbor against neighbor and re-igniting old feuds and animosities.  Those of both sides organized militia and often engaged each other.  The countryside was devastated with raids and reprisals being the order of the day.  What most people do not realize is that the most battles and skirmishes of the American Revolution occurred right here in South Carolina even though the first shot heard round the world was fired hundreds of miles away.   Not only that, in 1780 and 1781, South Carolina saw more battles and deaths than any of the other former colonies had during the entire war!

The Battle of Lexington

History books focus on the northern colonies because much of the dissent began in Massachusetts with the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the Battle of Lexington and Concord.  In addition, George Washington's troops and efforts were focused in that area, and the Continental Congresses took place in Philadelphia.  Most people do not realize that the effort to preserve the memories and actions of the American Revolution did not get its start until after the War Between the States.  Because South Carolina was the first state to succeed from the Union prior to breakout of the war, South Carolina was intentionally left out except in the most extreme circumstances.

So just how many battles and skirmishes occurred here in South Carolina?  Well, over 400 battles and skirmishes are known.  No, that was not a typo.  There are over 400 known battles and skirmishes that occurred on South Carolina's soil.  Charleston June 1776, Kings Mountain October 1780, and Cowpens January 1781 are considered  three of the top ten battles to take place during the American Revolution.

According to the Journal of the American Revolution, Charleston is often regarded as a minor action; however, the failure of the British to take Charleston forced the British to focus their efforts in the north for the next several years.  It was this battle that swayed the delegates of Continental Congress that victory with the British could be achieved which led to the approval and signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Battle of Sullivan's Island

Kings Mountain was a complete annihilation of loyalist militia which forced the British to revise their southern strategy because it demonstrated that their overextended forces could be defeated.  In The Winning of the West, Theodore Roosevelt wrote of Kings Mountain, "This brilliant victory marked the turning point of the Revolution."  Thomas Jefferson called it, "The turn of the tide of success."  President Herbert Hoover while at Kings Mountain said, " This is a place of inspiring memories.  Here less than a thousand men, inspired by the urge of freedom, defeated a superior force entrenched in this strategic position.  This small band of Patriots turned back a dangerous invasion well designed to separate and dismember the united Colonies.  It was a little army and a little battle, but is was a mighty portent.  History has done scant justice to its significance, which rightly should place it beside Lexington, Bunker Hill, Trenton, and Yorktown."

Battle of Kings Mountain

Cowpens was a sudden defeat of a substantial British force that stopped the British offensive momentum in the south and renewed the spirits of American forces which initiated the campaign that brought the war to an end.  In the opinion of John Marshall, "Seldom has a battle, in which greater numbers were not engaged, been so important in its consequences as that of Cowpens.  It gave General Nathanael Greene his change to conduct a campaign of dazzling shiftiness that led Cornwallis by an unbroken chain of consequences to the catastrophe at Yorktown which finally separated American from the British crown."

Battle of Cowpens

With over 400 known skirmishes and battles, South Carolinians made great sacrifices for the cause of liberty.  The Revolutionary War in South Carolina was very violent and brought about a great loss of life. South Carolinians made significant contributions to the patriot victory and our nation's freedom even though South Carolina patriots were not given the credit they deserve.

125th Anniversary - Rededications at the State House - Bicentennial State Project

In honor of our Nation's Bicentennial, counties, cities, towns, groups, and individuals were asked to give a gift to the Nation.  State Regent Louise Burgdorf and the SCDAR replicated South Carolina's Bicentennial Medallion as the SCDAR's gift to the nation which proudly hangs in the State House in the twin stairwell on the wall adjacent to the tablet to the South Carolina Signers of the Constitution.

Script for the Re-dedication Ceremony Monuments, Tablets, and Medallions Placed by the SCDAR at the SC State House

South Carolina State House Grounds

June 13, 2018

Written by Penny Renwick

DIANNE:

As part of the Bicentennial project of State Regent Louise Burgdorf, the SCDAR placed mammoth replicas in the State House of the South Carolina Bicentennial medallion both the obverse and arm of the medallion.

PENNY:

The Bicentennial Commission recognized that commemorative objects could serve a worthwhile purpose in stimulating interest in the American Revolution and in the part which South Carolina played.  On June 28, 1974, the 198^th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, the Commission released South Carolina’s official Bicentennial medallion.  James L. Haynsworth of Columbia, South Carolina, designed the medallion’s obverse, which commemorates  Sergeant William Jasper’s heroic rescue of the state flag at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island.  The arms (or reverse) side of the State Bicentennial medallion is the same as the reverse of the original Great Seal of South Carolina, chosen in 1776.

The Seal of the State of South Carolina was designed by William Drayton after the British were defeated and driven away by the fort on Sullivan’s Island, in Charleston Harbor, on the 28^th of June, 1776, which event suggested some of the devices.  On this, the palmetto tree on one of the shields represents the fort, which was constructed of palmetto logs.  On the other may be seen a woman walking on the seashore holding in her had a branch of laurel.  She looks with hope to the sun rising in splendor over the sea.  This individual represents the State of South Carolina anticipating a glorious future when she has gained her independence from Great Britain. 

The supporters of these shields are a soldier in Continental uniform, on one side; while on the other stands the Goddess of Liberty, who hold aloft in her left had a pole, surmounted by a liberty cap.  In her right she extends a wreath of laurel to the soldier, whom she apparently intends to crown with this garland of victory.

Bicentennial Medallion showing each side of the Seal of South Carolina were placed during State Conference March 4, 1975.

DIANNE:

The SCDAR rededicates the replicas of the obverse and arm of the Bicentennial medallion commemorating the 200th birthday of the United States of America.  As the nation’s birthday approaches in less than a month, may we always be mindful of how our nation was born, the sacrifices made to form a new nation, and may we be filled with patriotic fervor each day and not just on our nation’s birthday.

PLACE FLORAL ARRANGEMENT.  Pause.

If you have never seen the musical or the movie (which is also a musical) 1776,  I encourage you to make this a part of your Fourth of July tradition.  It is a fun way to learn about how the Declaration of Independence came about with poetic license.  With humor, songs that get stuck in your head, and some powerful scenes, one begins to get a sense of how our colonies united to form a new nation.

image from the movie "1776" from the song "Sit down, John!"

Why do I even talk about this?   Let's think about it.  Memorial Day is really celebrated as a holiday that is the first day of summer with all of the sales to go along with it instead of a day that pays tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.  The Fourth of July is a holiday from work with cookouts, with fireworks, and with lots of red/white/and blue.

If asked about why we celebrate this day, we will say it is the birthday of our nation.  But do we really understand what that means. Probably not.  Most people could not tell you that this day is a result of the passing of the Declaration of Independence.  They couldn't tell you about the struggle involved in uniting the colonies as one nation in fighting and separating from a formidable foe.  Have they even read the Declaration of Independence?  Have you ?

As our nation's birthday approaches, may we truly and honestly reflect on the meaning of this day.  I am pasting the text of the Declaration of Independence below for you to read.  After reading it, I want you to focus on the last sentence "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.''  Then, I want you to search yourself, to truly examine yourself, and ask yourself these questions, "Would I have signed the Declaration of Independence if I had been one of the delegates?  Would I have been ready to give up everything?  If that had happened today, would I be ready to do what my ancestors did?"  Be totally honest when answering these questions.  Now read the Declaration of Independence and when the Fourth of July comes, may you celebrate the day with a new sense of understanding and appreciation for our Founding Fathers and the patriots who fought and contributed in other ways to bring about a new nation.

In Congress, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. 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.