Freedom or Security?

W.C. Fields was not a fan of Philadelphia. In his will the rambunctious but brilliant comedian instructed his executor to have inscribed on his tombstone: " All in all, I’d rather be in Philadelphia."

That’s how our founding fathers must have felt as they gathered during the hot summer of 1776 in a pre-airconditioned, filthy, foul, fuming, Philadelphia to debate the issue of Independence. These men were the cream of the thirteen original colonies blessed with intellect, social recognition, and in many cases, wealth. There were a million places they would rather have been than gathering each day in Independence Hall where the first order of business each morning was to debate opening a window to reduce the stifling heat or leaving the windows closed to ward off an epidemic of flies.

Although Massachusetts and Virginia could be considered the major centers of
outspoken malcontent and rebellious activity, Pennsylvania was by no means a minor player in the debate for independence. Ironically the group opposing independence was lead by a Pennsylvanian, John Dickinson, while one of the "Big Three" supporting secession from the Crown was also a Pennsylvanian, Benjamin Franklin. Doctor Franklin, along with John Adams of Massachusetts and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, was engaged in the difficult task of gathering a unanimous vote for independence from all thirteen colonies.

What followed during the days leading up to the fourth of July, was a spirited debate centered around two key issues:

First, was the cost of freedom associated with independence. Dickinson’s coalition didn’t want to trade the protection of the Crown for the prize of freedom while Franklin’s group felt freedom trumped all other considerations. Using more than a score of examples of Crown abuse that treated the colonists as second class subjects, Franklin.

Adams, and, Jefferson carried the day. On the 4th of July in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed by all representatives in attendance. This was a true act of patriotic courage. There were no guarantees of fame or fortune associated with this decoration that King George considered treason. To the contrary, history shows the future lives of far too many signers would contain financial ruin or loss of health. The only thing those men guaranteed with their signatures was the gratitude of future generations.

Was the document perfect? By no means. The second key issue of the debate was the tolerance of slavery. Abolition was, in the mind of Franklin who was a strong abolitionist but also a pragmatic politician, a prize that had to be postponed for another day. Unfortunately, that day didn’t arrive for nearly a hundred years when, in 1863 around another Pennsylvania town named Gettysburg, that stain was finally washed from our national fabric with the blood of descendents from both sides of the issue.

What would Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, and all the other signers of the Declaration Of Independence think if they saw how our nation celebrated the Fourth of July today? I think they would be delighted with all the parades, fireworks, picnics, and speeches.

These customs would be evidence that their courage and sacrifices were appreciated and not in vain. However, on the warm evening breeze of each anniversary, the faint echo of their 237 year old challenge and warning drifts across our nation: " We have given you a republic. Let’s see how long you keep it."

Stratton Schaeffer
Retired Consulting Engineer & Farmer
July, 2013