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Kenneth's avatar

We have to temper our understanding of the Declaration with the immovable fact that it was written by a man who owned slaves. If you're looking for any sign of hollowness in the promises made therein, let it begin with the consideration that "all Men" did not, in fact, include ALL Men.

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Steven Dundas's avatar

Kenneth,

Don’t forget Jefferson’s 181 word indictment of King George for Slavery and his call to end it. That was shot down by South Carolina and Georgia and removed to keep the states together to fight the British. Yes, he was a hypocrite, but the Declaration was revolutionary and remarkable for its time, and even today. At the time of the Declaration no country had abolished slavery or even had proposed it. The deleted indictment would have been even more remarkable. Also remember that right up to the Civil War Southern slave owners condemned the Declaration for even mentioning that all men are created equal. Slavery is our original sin. Check out my book published in 2022 by Potomac Books of the University of Nebraska Press. “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: Religion and the Politics of Race in the Civil War Era and Beyond,” as well as my articles here and on my legacy site. The link to the book on Amazon is here. I also offer it as a gift to Founding Members, and sometimes to annual subscribers.

https://www.amazon.com/Mine-Eyes-Have-Seen-Glory/dp/1640124888/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KPHIX9PO7733&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nfMHMXVnd9quhPzesbQRNpifu6jP_4jQ8shrn4TMdGDIDwfumVbXmAc2zYg-RVrYPxBMl36nKSVS0Jmy88pwOw.u1uOZ9bFDL3XyUwgtu_NmN7B9ruHvU8ZJYkAvaAzDBU&dib_tag=se&keywords=mine+eyes+have+seen+the+glory+dundas&qid=1751834933&sprefix=Mine+eyes+%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-1

All the best,

Steve

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Kenneth's avatar

I have read your book. A signed copy, no less. Loved it.

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Fred Basset's avatar

When the signatories to the declaration stated that they pledged " our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor" they were not being hyperbolic. Their butts were on the line. If they lost they would be executed for treason, their property would be forfeited to the crown, and their families left destitute and ostracized. Find a similar display of courage today. The declaration is a masterpiece of political statement that was also a press release aimed at the wider British public, Parliament, and France. Sometimes a committee can get it right.

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Steven Dundas's avatar

Fred, I completely agree. The committee that drafted the Declaration did something that redounded across the earth and time. All the best. Steve

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Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

You are a national treasure, Steven.

My soul receives every profound word

you give us here.

Your words and theirs.

Our Founding Fathers

and Lincoln

and all the wise leaders you cite

would be moved

that there are brave men like you

who have not forgotten

what they lived and died for.

You honor them

and the beloved Republic

they created, defended and gave us.

Now it is up to us.

Thank you for leading us

with words of truth.

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Steven Dundas's avatar

Thank you Deborah. Please restack if you would.

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Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

Have now done so

with pleasure

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Malcolm J McKinney's avatar

Well put. I concur.

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