No one ever gets to the end. Have you ever read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety? Do you remember any of it? It is simple. It is masterful. Yes, it has a lot of big words that we don't use anymore, but it is so beautiful.

It is also treason.

"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."

Then TJ states what the people stand for. "...all men are created equal..." and all that. People think they know all this. But THEN, then a whole list of complaints, basically, about what the King of England and his political cronies have been doing to the colonists. That's all the Declaration truly is - a list of complaints.

Ah, but I love the end. This is the part that gives me chills. After TJ goes on to list all the things the people in the Colonies have tried to do (warned, reminded, & appealed), he flat out states what the following 56 signers are ready to do. TREASON.

"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 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."

Read it again. Do it! Put emotion and feeling behind your words. Chills, I tell you.

Happy 4th of July weekend.