Category Archives: Declaration of Independence

Founding Fathers and Leadership

Posted on by January 28, 2016

Speaking-2My wife has been asking me what I want to do now that I’m retired. The other night I woke up at about 2 or 2:30 with a thought on my mind. It seemed important to me at that time in my groggy condition. So what did I do? I got out of bed, went into my office, found a scrap of paper and a pencil and wrote down my thought.

Then, the next day, I couldn’t find the paper on which I had written my thought. Yes, in between I guess I had cleaned off my desk. But that night, I had that same thought again. This time I wrote in down on the white board in my study. That would get misplaced! read more

It’s the Luck of the Draw and Thomas Jefferson

Posted on by January 20, 2016

ThomasJeffersonSome of the Democrats are complaining that too many in America get ahead just because of luck. Therefore, the abundance they receive should be subject to division around the citizenry. The lucky didn’t really deserve it. The unlucky should take part in the good luck by forcing the government to take such lucky proceeds and dividing them up among the less fortunate. Wow, how do they come to that conclusion?

Thomas Jefferson had a wonderful quote about his luck:

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it!” (As quoted in “Give Me Liberty!” by Steven W. Allen, #22) read more

The Declaration of Independence You Didn’t Know

Posted on by January 15, 2016

Thomas Jefferson worked on his draft for 17 days during his time at the Continental Congress. The draft was to be ready in case enough of the representatives ultimately agreed on the need for such a document.

Jefferson’s original draft was just a little different than the one finally adopted. This paragraph is interesting and better than my first draft would have been.

”We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable; that all men are created equal and independent, that from equal creation they derive rights inherent and inalienable, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” read more

Mount Vernon Love Story

Posted on by January 14, 2016

GeorgeWashingtonMany of you are fans of Mary Higgins Clark and her murder mystery novels. What you may not know is that Ms. Clark wrote an interesting book about George and Martha Washington. It’s titled “Mount Vernon Love Story, A Novel of George and Martha Washington.”

Sure, it’s a novel, much like her many other books, but it is based on extensive research, and on her love for Martha Washington. It’s charming, insightful, and very entertaining. I highly recommend it. Not only for the Story of the First President of the United States, but also for the background story about his dear, and beloved wife. read more

Free to Be

Posted on by January 13, 2016

Give Me LIberty coverA life lived in liberty
Is one I’m proud to live.
And shout alliance to the men
Whose lives they did so give.

I see the blessings it brings to those
Who live in this great land,
And name each one as men of grace:
Who brought freedom with their hand.

I see our flag wave bold and bright
And shine for all to see,
We pledge allegiance to the flag
That says we’re “Free to Be.”

–Steven W. Allen, JD

Thomas Jefferson as A Speaker

Posted on by December 30, 2015

ThomasJeffersonSpeaking of professional speakers, one of the Founding Fathers who wouldn’t be one would be Thomas Jefferson! Although he was very intellectual, wise, and erudite, he was not a good speaker. He could write better than the best of them. But speak he could not, and he knew it. For that reason alone, he probably couldn’t be elected President today.

His voice was high and “squeaky”. He wrote the initial draft of the Declaration of Independence without book or pamphlet as references. Only his background and training as a lawyer guided him through his writing. But he didn’t speak up on behalf of his draft at the Continental Congress. He allowed John Adams to represent him and the committee in advocating adoption of the Declaration. read more

James Madison and the Choice of Liberty

Posted on by December 19, 2015

JamesMadisonJust as Patrick Henry proclaimed “Give me liberty or give me death”, James Madison did likewise. His statement was worded just a little differently.

Madison defined “property rights” to be the same as all human rights. Such rights are specifically protected in our Bill of Rights, the first 10 Amendments, proposed by Madison and adopted by the States.

James refers to property to include such human rights at freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. He wrote that property “included everything to which a man may attach a value and have a right, and which leaves to every one else the like advantage”(emphasis in the original writing). read more

The Daughters of the American Revolution

Posted on by December 11, 2015

constitutionToday I was honored as the special guest speaker at the monthly meeting of The Daughters of the American Revolution. It was real privilege to present to them a little about our Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.

The ladies were invited to bring their husbands, and so we were happy so have some gentlemen there as well. I found the group to be well educated about our country’s revolution, and to be a most attentive and riveted audience.

In the discussion there seemed to be some confusion about the difference between the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. It was soon cleared up. read more

Thomas Jefferson as President

Posted on by December 10, 2015

ThomasJeffersonIn watching some of the political debates and even interviews lately, I couldn’t help but think of Thomas Jefferson’s most helpful statement:

“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.”

Having said that it is interesting to think that Thomas Jefferson would have a most difficult time being elected as President today. Why? He was not a very good speaker! He was a magnificent and awe-inspiring writer to be sure. See the Declaration of Independence for example. read more

Natural Law and the Declaration of Independence

Posted on by December 6, 2015

445192825_011af775a5_mPeople were beginning to talk about the Colonies becoming independent from Great Britain. Unfair treatment of the colonists without giving them any representation in the British body which deliberated the laws, caused many to rebel, rise up, take to the streets, and, yes revolt.

The colonies sent leaders to represent them in a Continental Congress at Philadelphia. At the 2nd Continental Congress the representatives decided to put independence to a vote. A committee was formed to draft a Declaration of Independence should one be necessary. That committee was Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and a young lawyer named Thomas Jefferson, who was chosen to write the first draft of such a document. read more