I Love Independence Day!

Its one of my favorite holidays; right up there with Patriot's Day, Evacuation Day, and Thanksgiving.

Independence Day is when we celebrate the armed overthrow of a tyrannical government in America. In large part this Revolution that we celebrate was fostered and carried out by Farmers and Fishermen.

As Emerson tells us in 'A Concord Hymn,'  it was farmers who turned back the British Army - then the mightiest army the world had ever seen - at Concord's North Bridge, "By the 'rude bridge that arched the flood, their flag to April's breeze unfurled, here once the embattled Farmers stood and fired a shot heard 'round the world."

Washington, Jefferson, Monroe, and Amesbury's Josiah Bartlett were all Farmers, and they were committing treason. It was General Glover's Marblehead Fishermen who facilitated Washington's capture of Trenton (NJ), having rowed his Army across the Delaware. These men were armed only with fishing pikes. It was Vermont Farmers who dragged Fort Ticonderoga's cannon through the snow to Boston, and forced the evacuation of the British Army garrisoned there.

Now let's visit the town of Chelmsford (MA). Here, on the Town Common we find the graves of thirteen local farmers who lost their lives in the Battle of Bunker Hill. A granite marker erected by the townsfolk advises us that "The sons must defend what the sires have won." The Liberties and Freedoms that we enjoy in this Country did not come to us without a price. And we truly are charged with defending them from government tyranny lest they be lost to us. 

On July 4th, we celebrate our independence from tyranny. Jefferson urged us to "celebrate with the ringing of church bells and the discharge of firearms."

I will leave you with a copy of "The Bill of Rights", a document that is the very foundation upon which lay our Civil Liberties and our Constitutional Rights.

Have a glorious Independence Day however you choose to celebrate.

Regards,

Dick Chase

Bill of Rights

First Amendment - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Second Amendment - A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Third Amendment - No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Fourth Amendment - The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Fifth Amendment - No person shall be held to answer for any capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Sixth Amendment - In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

Seventh Amendment - In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Eighth Amendment - Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Ninth Amendment - The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Tenth Amendment - The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.