Dittman 1 Greg Dittman Mr.

Fichthorn English 10 17 April 2011 Signing of the Declaration of Independence Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. (Redmoon). Fear, itself, causes individuals to act not according to ideals but rather to an instinctual nature. This reaction can determine a mans honor, respect, and, ultimately, his courage. Courage isnt always displayed on the battlefield or in front of many people. It isnt shown only by the physically strong. The moment that individual shows courage, this moment becomes a pattern and structure of life. And when that moment is documented into history, it can create the understructure of a nation. When the delegates signed the Declaration of Independence, they faced criminal claims and became enemies of the British. Their courage was evident because they knew that independence was necessary. The signing of the Declaration of Independence was an essential moment in history and an exemplary paragon of courage.

Dittman 2 The signing of the Declaration of Independence confirmed the separation between Great Britain and America. The signers were brave and stood up for the rights of the American people; after all, Great Britain was depleting Americas revenue. These men were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. (Ferris). They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall and unwavering, they pledged: For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor (Declaration of Independence in Ferris). This moment laminates a divine turning point in America as the colonies could bear no more from the tyrant- King George III. The result is the Declaration of Independence but the moment is defined by the signers courage. From signing the Declaration of Independence, Great Britain deemed all signers as treasonous. These men knew what they risked. The penalty for treason was death by hanging. And remember, an overwhelming British fleet was already at anchor in the New York Harbor. All the signers asked for was the status

Dittman 3 quo. The separation was resisted and the uniting with the mother country was desired. The fuel to the fire was taxation without representation. These signers were conservatives, yet they rebelled. Of those 56 who signed the Declaration, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war. Five were captured and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families. One lost his thirteen children. All were, at one time or another, the victims of manhunts and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned. (Ferris). Yet not one defected or went back on his pledged word. Their courage and the nation they sacrificed so much for is much alive. Clearly, the moment they signed the document, much was at risk, but their courage and dedication created the division from Great Britain and America. The signing of the Declaration of Independence was most certainly an essential moment in history and an exemplary example of courage. Without the courage of the signers there would be no United States. There would be taxation

Dittman 4 without representation. The moment the delegates signed the Declaration of Independence, a nation founded on the basis of courage was born. Even today Americans are showing courage- whether it is protecting our country in the military or even supporting the troops. The signers blood runs strong in the American people and there is no limit to the greatness that this country possesses. The moment that the delegates signed the Declaration of Independence, a new nation enshrined with the values and thirst for dignity and courage was born. The United States of America.

Dittman 5 Works Cited

Limbaugh, Rush. The Americans Who Risked Everything. RushLimbaugh. 6 July 2010. Web. 20 Apr. 2011 Ferris, Robert G. The Price They Paid. Snopes. 3 July 2010. Web. 14 Apr. 2011.