Happy Independence Day!

We're up on the Independence Day holiday weekend, which means Raleigh is about to become a ghost town with families heading to "the beach" ("the beach" could mean Emerald Isle, Wrightsville, Topsail, Sunset, Myrtle, etc.) or "the lake" (White, Gaston, Kerr, etc.) or maybe even "the mountains."

Each year we like to wish all of our readers a Happy Fourth. And, in the spirit of the holiday, we once again leave you with snippets from some of our forefathers' brilliantly-penned masterpieces.


"... That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people, are, and of right ought to be, a sovereign and self-governing Association, under the control of no power other than that of our God and the General Government of the Congress; to the maintenance of which independence, we solemnly pledge to each other, our mutual cooperation, our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred honor. ..."

-Mecklenburg Declaration of Indpendence, Charlotte, May 20, 1775

"... It appears to your Committee that pursuant to the Plan concerted by the British Ministry for subjugating America, the King and Parliament of Great Britain have usurped a Power over the Persons and Properties of the People unlimited and uncontrouled; and disregarding their humble Petitions for Peace, Liberty and safety, have made divers Legislative Acts, denouncing War Famine and every Species of Calamity against the Continent in General. ...

"Resolved that the delegates for this Colony in the Continental Congress be impowered to concur with the delegates of the other Colonies in declaring Independency, and forming foreign Alliances, reserving to this Colony the Sole, and Exclusive right of forming a Constitution and Laws for this Colony, and of appointing delegates from time to time (under the direction of a general Representation thereof) to meet the delegates of the other Colonies for such purposes as shall be hereafter pointed out."

-Halifax Resolves, April 12, 1776

"... 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. ..."

-Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

"... The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings, and successes. ..."

-President George Washington's Farewell Address, September 17, 1796