Valleydale High School - Conquest Yearbook (Charlotte, NC)

Page 19 text:

Thomas Jefferson, the thirty-three year old law- yer from Virginia who brought with him a repu- tation for literature, science, and a happy talent for compositiong Roger Sherman from Connecti- cutg and Robert R. Livingston of New York. The actual task of drafting the paper fell to Jefferson, who protested that he already had pressing busi- ness in Williamsburg - that of drafting a work- able constitution for Virginia. The protestations were waved aside, and he was left alone to choose the words that would create a new republic. Oc- casionally during those days before July, Franklin or another colleague would visit to offer a minor change. On or about the 28th of June, Jefferson copied his rough draft, on which all later major changes were noted. The copy was presented to Congress the 'sFirst day of July, 1776. The Declaration was read and opened for debate. John Dickenson of Pennsylvania strongly ob- jected to the document: I had rather forfeit popularity forever, than vote away the blood and happiness of my Countryman . . . it is like destroy- ing our house in winter . . . before we have another shelter. Thus argued the man who would later defend America as a private in the Continental Army. John Adams spoke later in the day, as lightning crashed and driving rain pounded the Philadelphia State House. Nature herself, it seemed, suffered the selfsame pangs as those locked in heated debate within. The following day, as more delegates arrived, the vote for independence was taken and approved. Now it remained to vote for the Declaration itself, which would explain to the world why the fight for independence was necessary. Tyranny, like Hell, is not .ly 9081 conquered: yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph. On t ago, . steepl from bell vx libertj habit: Thomas Paine 1776 his anniversary day, two hundred years Iuly 4, 1776, a bellman was waiting in the e of the red brick State House for a signal a boy stationed at the door below. On the 'as an inscription from Leviticus: Proclaim v throughout all the land unto all the in- ints thereof . Early in the evening, the boy clapped his hands and shouted, 'fRingl Ring! It was a jubilant sound signaling the colonies, proclamation of freedom, yet doleful in its warn- ing of the dangers which lay ahead. A new nation would now have to earn its declared freedom. To - U do so its citizens pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. vtls are sufferable, than to right themselves by ng the forms to which they are accu

Page 21 text:

Conquest 975-'76 All P 194 P dm v 'ip .aff r ' - U V Y i iii .M Aafuziv own JRHZLLBVKQD Q0Ot5 .