Rebuttal of Mr. Mack and answer to his patriotism challenge.
Just a short review of what happened to the 56 patriotic conservative men — all would be Republicans if alive today — who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Five were captured and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were these? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine 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. How many Democrats and Rinos in D.C. would do this today?
Thomas McKeam 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. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw all his ships destroyed. He had to sell his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. 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 the Nelson home for his headquarters. He 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. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Now I never thought I’d say this but I’m glad that Romney/Ryan lost to Obama/Biden in 2012. If Mitt had won we would not have President Trump, who actually endorsed Romney, in office today. And all these liberal Democrat shammers who are making fools of themselves in their attempt to embarrass President Trump will live with regret the rest of their lives because they are also causing his numbers to go on up and up starting the first day of their so-called hearings. It’s hard to believe they are nutty enough to go this far, it has to be something they are copying from a communist country. All the moderate Democrats I know are voting for Trump/Pence next year so please keep up all these crazy shenanigans and the Democrats who love our Country will probably just permanently change parties.
Patriotism is a good thing and I believe all 56 signers would be supporting our great patriot President, Donald J. Trump, if they were alive today.
Raymond Gross
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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