Founding Fathers

Since Saturday is Independence Day, I decided to share a few quotes from some of the Founding Fathers that are also my cousins!

Abraham Clark - My 12th cousin 11 times removed.

As to my Title, I know not yet whether it will be honourable or dishonourable, the issue of the War must Settle it. Perhaps our Congress will be Exalted on a high Gallows

- Abraham Clark

Joseph Hewes -  My 11th cousin 10 times removed.

Were I to suffer in the cause of American liberty, should I not be translated immediately to heaven as Enoch was of old?

- Joseph Hewes

Thomas McKean - My 10th cousin 17 times removed.

Our cause is good, our army in health and high spirits, and more numerous that that of the enemy. May the divine Disposer of all events crown our victuous endeavors with success and save our country; of this we may be confident, "for he delights in virtue, and that which he delights in must be happy."

- Thomas McKean

Charles Carroll - My 10th cousin 8 times removed.

Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure (and) which insures to the good eternal happiness, are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments.

- Charles Carroll

There are certain unalienable and fundamental rights, which informing the social compact, out to be explicitly ascertained and fixed - a free and enlightened people, in forming this compact, will not resign all their rights to those who govern, and they will fix limits to their legislators and rulers, which will soon be plainly seen by those who are governed, as well as by those who govern: and the latter will know they cannot be passed unperceived by the former, and without giving a general alarm.

- Richard Henry Lee

Roger Sherman - My 3rd cousin 9 times removed.

The only real security that you can have for all your important rights must be in the nature of your government. If you suffer any man to govern you who is not strongly interested in supporting your privileges, you will certainly lose them.

- Roger Sherman

These men recognized that they were part of something that was so much bigger than anything that had been attempted before. I love how Abraham Clark freely acknowledged that they didn't know if they would be successful or not, but that was not going to stop them. They knew that what they were doing was right and many saw the hand of the Lord throughout the formation of this independent nation. They also saw how these freedoms and rights could be taken from us. It is vital for us to educate ourselves on the candidates and remove them from office if necessary for limiting our freedoms. There is still so much we can learn from our Founding Fathers if we would take the time to study them.

If you want to find out what Founding Fathers you are related to go to www.relativefinder.org.
Here's some more patriotic thoughts for this Independence Day.