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“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”
In the greatest break-up note in history, when the Signers of the Declaration of Independence proclaimed the self-evident truth, that all men are created equal, they knew those words described an aspiration, not a reality.
Even the most progressive of the Founders were constrained by the prejudices of their day. Despite their limitations, they put their lives on the line to support novel ideas about human rights and the revolutionary concept that a government should exist to benefit its citizens rather than its rulers.
For much of the last 250 years, “all men are created equal” was seen as a positive vision and inspiration to progress. Now, too many are willing to write that off, focusing instead on the Signers’ hypocrisy, mistakes, and shortcomings. That, we believe, diminishes the fact that the Declaration was central to the idea of America, and a beacon to expanding liberties here and around the world. By looking at it through the lens of the Promise of Liberty, perhaps we can find a better balance.
July 1776 Broadsides
Broadsides such as this fanned the flames of independence. Passed from hand to hand, read aloud at town gatherings, and posted in public places, these single pages printed only on one side were meant to quickly convey news. Only ten copies of this Exeter, New Hampshire printing are known. Pin holes in three corners and the torn upper-left corner suggest this example was posted publicly.
In a way, this Declaration broadside is even more “original” than the signed manuscript pictured by most Americans. This is not yet “The Unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States,” but rather “A Declaration, by the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled.” On July 4, New York’s delegation abstained from voting for independence. After replacing their delegates, New York joined the other 12 colonies.
Moreover, as here on the broadside, the July 4 Declaration was signed by only two men: Continental Congress President John Hancock and Secretary Charles Thomson (here with the common variant “Thompson”). After New York on board, Congress resolved on July 19 to have the Declaration engrossed with a new title: “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.” Most of the 56 signers affixed their names on the engrossed document on August 2, 1776, with some added even later. Thus, broadsides such as this one preserve the text of the Declaration of Independence as it actually was issued in July of 1776.
Excerpt From Declaration’s Grievances:
“He has obstructed the Administration of Justice … He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone…
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws…
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences…
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us…
A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”
★[DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE]. Broadside. [Attributed to Robert Luist Fowle, Exeter, New Hampshire], [ca. July 15-19, 1776]. #21992