With Independence Day celebrations taking place in just two days, we're going to share some quotes from the founding of our nation. The beliefs of the American Founding Fathers during the Revolutionary War period were deeply rooted in a desire for liberty, self-governance, and resistance to tyranny — principles that would later shape the foundation of the United States government. Patrick Henry’s fiery declaration, “Give me liberty or give me death!” captured the urgency with which many colonists viewed their struggle. This was a rallying cry that underscored the willingness to risk everything for the right to determine their own destiny. 

 

Thomas Jefferson’s words in the Declaration of Independence — “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal... endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights” — laid the philosophical groundwork for American democracy. These ideals emphasized that government’s legitimacy derives from the consent of the governed. This was a radical departure from the attitudes of the British monarchy. Jefferson’s vision helped inspire a system where individual rights were not granted by rulers but recognized as inherent and protected by law.

 

Other Founders echoed this commitment to liberty and civic responsibility. Samuel Adams asserted, “The liberties of our country... are worth defending against all hazards,” reinforcing the belief that freedom required vigilance and sacrifice. Meanwhile, Thomas Paine’s writings, such as Common Sense and The American Crisis urged perseverance in the face of hardships with lines like, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” 

 

These convictions directly influenced the structure of the new American government. The Constitution and Bill of Rights enshrined protections for speech, religion, and due process, reflecting the Founders’ distrust of centralized power. George Washington warned,​“The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves,” a stark reminder that liberty was not guaranteed — it had to be defended and institutionalized. Their words weren’t just inspirational — they were blueprints for a republic built on the enduring promise of freedom. Benjamin Franklin was reportedly asked, “what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”. Franklin famously responded, “A republic...if you can keep it.” The implication here is that keeping a republic is not easy, because as he later says, “when the people find out they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” The rest of this grand experiment lies on our shoulders and what we do with it. We hope you enjoy your Independence Day celebrations with friends, family, fellowship and great food!