Though the July 4th Independence Day holiday is now a fading memory, its arrival and departure three weeks ago has reminded me business owners and entrepreneurs are some of the most independent thinkers that I’ve ever met. That is one of the reasons why I admire them so much. On that evening, I had the privilege of a thought provoking conversation with legendary independent TV producer, businessman, and activist, Norman Lear. That chat prompted me to think about what the holiday truly represents.
In 2001, Lear and his wife, Lyn, purchased a document known as the “Dunlap Broadside,” which is one of the first published copies of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. They paid $8.1 million for it with the intention of touring the document around the United States so that the country could experience its "birth certificate" firsthand.
The declaration of independence for the thirteen colonies was passed in congress on July 4, 1776. The declaration begins--When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
There were 56 signatures on the document, and some of the people wielding the pen that day became famous in directing the long term course of our new nation. They knew that they were putting their livelihoods, and even their lives, in jeopardy by signing a document that defied the King of England (George III), but they moved forward regardless. Some were under thirty and others over 50 years of age. Many were merchants and farmers, the two largest categories of business in the colonies at the time. Most of them had a great deal to lose if things went wrong, but they demonstrated what I consider to be the true spirit of America. They were resourceful, courageous, and they stood for something larger than their individual interests. Here are a few examples:
John Hancock, who was President of Congress during the debate about the Declaration of Independence and during its signing, has the biggest signature on the declaration. His signature is the first and largest on the Declaration. He was one of the wealthiest men in the thirteen colonies and served as Governor of Massachusetts for many years. Today most of us know of him because of the insurance business that adopted his name.
George Walton was one of the youngest signers of the Declaration of Independence at only 26 years of age. He was appointed a Colonel in the Continental Army and was seriously wounded and captured by the British during the Battle of Savannah. Edward Rutledge was the other signer of the Declaration at age 26.
Thomas Jefferson is one of the most well known of the signers of the document. Jefferson wrote the original draft of the Declaration of Independence. He served as Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State, Vice President, and served two terms as President of the United States.
Robert Morris was one of only two Founding Fathers to have signed all three major founding American documents - the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the US Constitution. Robert Morris was a very wealthy Philadelphia merchant who became the chief importer of arms and ammunition for the Continental Army. Without his personal efforts, George Washington's army probably would never have succeeded. Remarkably, Robert Morris died bankrupt and spent several years in debtor’s prison toward the end of his life.
Samuel Adams, to the surprise of many young people today, wasn’t a brewer! Adams, probably more so than any other, was largely responsible for uniting the colonies in their war for independence. He was a fiery leader, whose aggressive views toward the British even alarmed his fellow patriot leaders.
Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. He was a printer, author, philosopher, scientist and, inventor. Benjamin Franklin created the first American public library and the first American fire station force. He became a prominent diplomat to Europe, and his last public act was to sign a memorial to Congress recommending the abolition of slavery.
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. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
These men, who were infused with a vision for what was to become America, were obviously possessed of an independent streak coupled with a strong belief in self reliance. If they were dropped into our country today, especially the centers of government at any level, I think they would be astounded and appalled. They would see that we’ve learned to punish those who accomplish greatly with increasing taxes and regulations while we spend lavishly to reward those who contribute less to our society. They’d see politicians who look to do the most popular thing instead of the right and best thing for the long term good of the populace. Those founders would find a population that has been taught to be so fearful and timid that it is hard to get them to even sign a petition in the supermarket parking lot.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
My talk with Norman Lear not only reminded me of the foundational spirit of America, it showed that when guided by people of vision, business and the greater societal good are intertwined. I love the fact that Lear is a major part of Concord Records, a company that releases some of my favorite music artists. In 1981, Lear founded People for the America Way, an advocacy organization. In 1989, Lear founded the Business Enterprise Trust, an educational program that used annual awards, business school case studies, and videos to spotlight exemplary social innovations in American business. In 2000, he established the Norman Lear Center, a multidisciplinary research and public policy center for exploring the convergence of entertainment, commerce, and society, at the University of Southern California Annenberg School. He is a thoughtful and engaged independent businessman who applies his resources across many initiatives for better communities.
Where is your sense of independence these days? All levels of government seem to be growing weightier and costlier. Our country’s greatness was born in and nurtured by the merchant class, what we would now call the independents. You don’t have to wait for July 4th to demonstrate your spirit, the one that guided our founders.
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