"If
Man is not governed by God, he will be ruled by tyrants."
-
William Pitt, Prime Minister of EnglandDon't Tread On Me
| Posted | Proclamation | Preservation | Preparation |
| March 18, 2009 | Tread_SonsOfLibery_03-19-08.pdf | The "Stamp Act" appeared to be the impetus for this secret organization - the "Sons of Liberty"; and what began as nine, soon grew to thousands... | The "Sons of Liberty" pursued their rights largely by printing their grievances and opposition - a choice that led to growing acceptability among the majority... |
| March 19, 2009 | Tread_CGadsden_03-19-08.pdf;
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Besides being the namesake for the flag (and slogan) described below, Gadsden was a patriot in every sense of the word. Political and military life put him front & center in the revolution in South Carolina | I mentioned Gadsden and several other patriots in one of my "Letters from Jail"; Gadsden was a man of principle - who endured the dark, damp cells of St. Augustine's Spanish fort rather than... |
| April 3, 2009 | Tread_TeaParty_04-04-09.pdf;
|
The Boston Tea Party is a spark that started the fire of revolution in the colonies; it was the public outcry of colonies that refused to pay taxes for which public services were not rendered. The Tax Day Tea Party is a current "brewing" that is spreading - not against a foreign government - but in connection with our own...and taxes once again. | More is at stake than money - if you can believe it: moral values have been stepped-on - and even crushed - by an ever-increasing and imposing force. Social crisis - such as the breakdown of the family and the beating-up of fathers - is one aspect that, while long occurring, must be redressed in view of the costs to the children... |
| June 9, 2009 | Tread_CommonSense_06-09-09.pdf | Thomas Paine was central to the cause of freedom; he wrote Common Sense, just as the 2nd Continental Congress was meeting to consider forming a new nation. | The appeal of this pamphlet was the idea framed in simple language - that could be understood by those who could read. To birth a nation, the people would have to believe in the cause as well... |
| Sept. 14, 2009 | Tread_HabeasCorpus_09-14-09.pdf | "What
is Habeas Corpus?"
A writ or Law requiring that a detained person be brought before a court to decide the legality of the detention; used as a protection against illegal imprisonment. With its arrival from England (Rights of Englishmen), |
...this term was the basis behind the right to trial, which prevented a
court from
jailing people arbitrarily.
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"If
Man is not governed by God, he will be ruled by tyrants."
-
William Pitt, Prime Minister of England
"Don't Tread On Me" is an expression originating from a patriot by name of Christopher Gadsden. The use of the rattlesnake originated from a speech by Benjamin Franklin regarding the exile of England's convicts to the colonies. The rattlesnake - divided into sections - was later used as a political cartoon to symbolize the colonies and England.
Recently, this same sectionalized symbol - though with nine sections and twelve rattles - appeared on Fox network program called "912" hosted by Glenn Beck; the "912" to represent 9 principles and 12 core values of citizens...or some citizens.
Christopher Gadsden belonged to a political or patriotic group called the Sons of Liberty; and a flag of yellow background and a coiled rattlesnake became the symbol. Other variations of the flag (and the symbol) also occurred during and following The Revolution. The symbol and the slogan (and flag) represent the determination - and even defiance - of a peoples that are patriotic to the cause of liberty - or to the demise of tyranny.
Today, the flag is flown on all active Navy vessels in connection with 911...and perhaps elsewhere among the military ranks. At in birthplace, Charleston, the flag continues to fly in commemoration of Gadsden and the patriotism (and sacrifice) of the Carolinians during that period. At present, this flag is displayed on my back window - a decal bought in Charleston...
For
more information, post a proclamation for preservation to: hey@hkirkrainer.org
Last Edited: 09/14/2009
