A History Lesson for the Fourth of July

[L Verge]

In the late 1700s and 1800s, patriotic toasts were an important part of Fourth of July celebrations. Toasts were carefully prepared, written down, and submitted to celebration committees for approval. Once approved, they were given to local newspapers for public dissemination. Often, thirteen toasts, one for each of the original colonies, were offered. Here is an example:

1. To the American jubilee. We hail its anniversary with joy.

2. To the Union of the States. May it never be broken by despotic power or aspiring demagogues.

3. To the Constitution of the United States. The American people will never suffer it to be rent for the sake of being patched by political tailors.

4. To the signers of the Declaration of our Independence. The last is gone, but the memory of all live in the hearts of their countrymen.

5. To the Father of his country. The memory of Washington will be cherished by the last son of liberty wherever found.

6. To the Death of Lafayette. The friends of liberty feel, but no tongue can express their grief.

7. To the President of the United States.

8. To the Governor of this Commonwealth.

9. To the Surviving Soldiers of the Revolution. May they die as they have lived, true friends to their country.

10. To agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing. May the fostering hand of government equally extend to three great pillars of national prosperity.

11. To the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. May her sons never degenerate from the patriotism of their fathers.

12. To public schools. May these nurseries of virtue and intelligence be extensively planted and judiciously cultivated.

13. To the fair daughters of creation. The nation is free where they wield their charms for liberty and the rights of men.

I wish each of you a happy and patriotic Fourth of July - and hope that the sentiments shown here by our ancestors can shine once again in our country.

[RJNorton]

(07-03-2017 06:04 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I wish each of you a happy and patriotic Fourth of July - and hope that the sentiments shown here by our ancestors can shine once again in our country.

I second Laurie! A few years ago our Brazilian member, Sebastiao Albano, sent this to the forum:

[RJNorton]

Many thanks to Laurie for sending this:

"This may be the best picture of an eagle ever taken."

"Taken at the National Cemetery in Minneapolis on a June morning as it appeared in the Minneapolis Star/Tribune."

"Our symbol standing guard."

[RJNorton]

Thank you to Laurie for sending this information!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

5 signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. 12 had their homes ransacked and burned. 2 lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

9 of the 56 fought and died from hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they? 24 were lawyers and jurists. 11 were merchants, 9 were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well-educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

We know some of the famous men but what about the ones we haven’t heard of?

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson,Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over his home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

Freedom is never free! We thank these early patriots, as well as those patriots now fighting to KEEP our freedom!

It’s time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more MEANING to it than beer, fireworks, hot dogs and picnics.

[L Verge]

This was sent to me in a very skewed fashion (which computers sometimes do...). Thank you, Roger, for straightening things out and posting it in a proper form that is easier to read.

In this day and age, when it seems that many of us are struggling to maintain the values that our forefathers set for this country, it helps to remember what those earlier patriots went through for their beliefs.

[brtmchl]

Happy Fourth of July!

[RJNorton]

Laurie, I cannot believe it's been an entire year since you began this thread. Happy Independence Day to everyone!

[Gene C]

This reminds me of a song - instrumental version of the Battle Cry Of Freedom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzstdlVNHrw

[Gencor]

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO EVERYONE IN THE FORUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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(07-03-2017 06:04 PM)L Verge Wrote:  In the late 1700s and 1800s, patriotic toasts were an important part of Fourth of July celebrations. Toasts were carefully prepared, written down, and submitted to celebration committees for approval. Once approved, they were given to local newspapers for public dissemination. Often, thirteen toasts, one for each of the original colonies, were offered. Here is an example:

1. To the American jubilee. We hail its anniversary with joy.

2. To the Union of the States. May it never be broken by despotic power or aspiring demagogues.

3. To the Constitution of the United States. The American people will never suffer it to be rent for the sake of being patched by political tailors.

4. To the signers of the Declaration of our Independence. The last is gone, but the memory of all live in the hearts of their countrymen.

5. To the Father of his country. The memory of Washington will be cherished by the last son of liberty wherever found.

6. To the Death of Lafayette. The friends of liberty feel, but no tongue can express their grief.

7. To the President of the United States.

8. To the Governor of this Commonwealth.

9. To the Surviving Soldiers of the Revolution. May they die as they have lived, true friends to their country.

10. To agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing. May the fostering hand of government equally extend to three great pillars of national prosperity.

11. To the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. May her sons never degenerate from the patriotism of their fathers.

12. To public schools. May these nurseries of virtue and intelligence be extensively planted and judiciously cultivated.

13. To the fair daughters of creation. The nation is free where they wield their charms for liberty and the rights of men.

I wish each of you a happy and patriotic Fourth of July - and hope that the sentiments shown here by our ancestors can shine once again in our country.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY, LAURIE!!!!!!

[L Verge]

(07-04-2018 09:52 AM)Gencor Wrote:  HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO EVERYONE IN THE FORUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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(07-03-2017 06:04 PM)L Verge Wrote:  In the late 1700s and 1800s, patriotic toasts were an important part of Fourth of July celebrations. Toasts were carefully prepared, written down, and submitted to celebration committees for approval. Once approved, they were given to local newspapers for public dissemination. Often, thirteen toasts, one for each of the original colonies, were offered. Here is an example:

1. To the American jubilee. We hail its anniversary with joy.

2. To the Union of the States. May it never be broken by despotic power or aspiring demagogues.

3. To the Constitution of the United States. The American people will never suffer it to be rent for the sake of being patched by political tailors.

4. To the signers of the Declaration of our Independence. The last is gone, but the memory of all live in the hearts of their countrymen.

5. To the Father of his country. The memory of Washington will be cherished by the last son of liberty wherever found.

6. To the Death of Lafayette. The friends of liberty feel, but no tongue can express their grief.

7. To the President of the United States.

8. To the Governor of this Commonwealth.

9. To the Surviving Soldiers of the Revolution. May they die as they have lived, true friends to their country.

10. To agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing. May the fostering hand of government equally extend to three great pillars of national prosperity.

11. To the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. May her sons never degenerate from the patriotism of their fathers.

12. To public schools. May these nurseries of virtue and intelligence be extensively planted and judiciously cultivated.

13. To the fair daughters of creation. The nation is free where they wield their charms for liberty and the rights of men.

I wish each of you a happy and patriotic Fourth of July - and hope that the sentiments shown here by our ancestors can shine once again in our country.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY, LAURIE!!!!!!

Thank you, Genna, and I hope that all of you have a wonderful 4th of July again this year. And, may the sentiments expressed in the above continue to inspire us as our country continues to face difficulties from forces within that intend to destroy it.

[Thomas Kearney]

(07-04-2018 06:15 AM)Gene C Wrote:  This reminds me of a song - instrumental version of the Battle Cry Of Freedom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzstdlVNHrw

And here's one of my favorites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvTQebuwoO0

Happy Independence Day everyone!

[BettyO]

Happy Fourth of July to ALL of our Forum Friends !!!!

   

[L Verge]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7z950IyPnc I think Mr. Lincoln would have wanted this included in the songs for the 4th if he had lived a few more months. Let's enjoy it now before it is outlawed also.

[LincolnMan]

Well said. Thanks for posing. Happy 4th!

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I think it would not be too much of a stretch to claim the 4th as Lincoln’s most cherished holiday.

[BettyO]

Quote:I think Mr. Lincoln would have wanted this included in the songs for the 4th if he had lived a few more months. Let's enjoy it now before it is outlawed also.

I agree, Laurie! It IS banned in VA.....