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From the Founder…
The other day was Patriots Day, but there was not much fanfare or hoopla regarding the very incident that sparked the War for Independence. It is fairly indicative or where the hearts and minds of Americans have devolved over the years. At this time, we are now more focused on tribal mentality and identity politics and mere regional politics to the detriment of our national unity. It is reflective of the fragmenting of the Union before it could actually crumble entirely.
It is reflective of self-centeredness and a “me-first” mentality. Save one’s own butt first.
Current sentiments among several Conservative-identifying groups or so-called Christian churches reflect a disconnect from the concept of a United States and more a secondary consideration. The sentiments represent a disconnect from Jesus’ teachings regarding the ones who are willing to lose their lives, being able to gain their lives. Maybe that is too deep for a lot of these people today. This is not a complete picture however. And, on the other extreme across the nation, there are many patriot groups that are rising up to do as much as humanly possible to address the corruption of the system, which essentially translates into the corruption of those who operate the levers of power. More and more the separation of goats from sheep and of the weeds from the tares is occurring before our eyes – at least before those with eyes that see.
Of course, back in the 1700s, the British government did not read the growing tensions in the colonies very well. Their leaders were fairly certain they did understand the population, but when the Boston Tea Party occurred, the leaders were shocked – what did the Americans have against British tea from India? They figured that this was just a minor rebellious effort that had to be dealt with by traditional British force, and the King hired mercenaries from Germany to deal with it as well as raising a British force mindful of public sentiment that they were planning to crush their own people – their own relatives in the colonies. It was a very dark time indeed; but, it was merely the birth pangs of the creation of the Land of the Free.
In the last edition of the Founder’s Focus, we initiated an effort to move outside our normal coverage mainly focusing on America in order to examine other nation’s problems. However, our primary focus is on preserving our Republic (which is NOT a democracy). So, the featured article is dedicated to those brave and brilliant ancestors of the Republic and the bold actions that initiated America’s War for Independence. Hopefully, there are brave and brilliant people in this time that can spark a return to the Principles of Freedom and retention of our Republic.
The first featured article is one I wrote the other day in honor of Patriots Day and it was posted on Canada Free Press yesterday: To honor the day - Reflecting on "the shot heard ’round the world" and a New Birth of Freedom Although it is not fresh “off the press” and one day old, the article helps people to understand the events of those brave and brilliant people of the founding generation who had the gravitas to literally take a stand for freedom at the risk of their lives. If we look into the mirrors of our souls, I pray to God that there will be many (as in critical mass) who would also risk their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to protect and promote Freedom in our time.
The second article is about George Washington’s words as he bade farewell to the nation after his last term in office. It is from Jason Yates, leader of my Faith Votes. The article was written as a way of remembering our first president near his birthday in 2022. The article is titled: “Our First President's Warning to the Nation.” It is still a good read about a great man.
America needs a new birth of freedom – a renewal of the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
To honor the day - Reflecting on "the shot heard ’round the world" and a New Birth of Freedom
By Dennis Jamison ——Bio and Archives--April 19, 2024
Today, genuine American citizens have the opportunity to reflect on the painful birth pangs of the beginnings of the Land of the Free. Those who cherish Freedom may remember that America was born at a time when good, common people were willing to lay down their lives for the freedom of their children and for the future generations. Brave and strong-willed people were prepared to lay down their lives for the freedom of others whom they would not know, nor ever hope to know. This is truly the deep and bloodstained reality of the birth of the Land of the Free. Those who can appreciate this, and who are grateful for such sacrifices offered for our sake are genuine Americans. Genuine Americans cherish Freedom and are willing to protect it.
Yet, it surely seems “We the People” have come full circle at such a time as this in the resistance and rejection of tyranny in the Americas. And once again, “..It is for us the living… to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought… and we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom…” The words from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address still apply to those of us who love the cause of Freedom. We can choose to pretend we do not understand the clear and present danger to the survival of Freedom, or we can grasp a stronger hold upon the self-evident truths which those who came before were willing to protect with their very lives.
In November of 1863, Abraham Lincoln had renewed hope that the Union would arise from the deathbed of the Civil War. He had the strength of hope to proclaim that “...government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Where are those who genuinely love Freedom today? They need to arise from the deathbed of hopelessness, and despair and return to the infectious level of courage that our forebears held within their hearts and minds in troubled times in other ages.
Fear cripples, yet courage empowers and enables, and we in this time, should look into the pages of our past to once again allow the courage of our ancestors to embolden us who love Freedom today. With this in mind, it is good and helpful to sort out the particulars of what led up to the “shot heard round the world” because a majority of Americans seem to have lost connection with that historic and pivotal moment in human history. The story is motivating in many ways, especially to set aside excuses for inaction and to summon courage in this time.
It was between April 18 and 19 of 1775 that the cries of danger swept through the countryside of Massachusetts, and brave men and boys gathered their powder horns and musket and shot and made their way to Lexington Green to wait for the dreaded British troops marching methodically toward their objective. British Gen. Thomas Gage, the king’s recently appointed governor of the Massachusetts colony, was tasked with restoring order and dominion over the rebellious people in the colony. The British had previously seized 250 half barrels of gunpowder. So, confiscation of ammunition, guns, and powder was a primary objective. Gage dispatched around 700 British regular troops to seize a cache of gunpowder, ammunition and weapons, reportedly stashed near Concord, and to also arrest just two men: Samuel Adams and John Hancock. The men were wanted by the British government for their rebellious activities in and around the Boston area, and Adams was known to have organized the Boston Tea Party. So after nightfall, around 9pm on April 18th, the troops began their march from Boston to Lexington.
The unique American response to the British military’s harassment of the people had been organized. The primary plans, directives from the primitive Continental Congress to prepare local militias to meet the British threat, also worked. Also in April of 1775, American spies had learned of the “secret plan” of the British overlords. The Americans, based on gathered military intelligence, had implemented contingency plans. On the weekend prior to the 18th, Paul Revere had organized a plan to use lighted lanterns hung in the tower of the Old North Church as signals to other riders that the British troops would be on the march and taking a land route or one by water. Revere was not certain he would be able to leave Boston with a British curfew in effect. However, he was able to slip away in the night and had arranged for compatriots to row him across the Charles River to get a decent head start to warn the two leaders.
On that April evening, as Paul Revere and William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott, as well as other riders, alerted their fellow citizens that the British regulars were on the march. As they marched the British military harassed the people in their homes. As the cries of alarm spread “through every Middlesex village and farm, for the country folk to be up in arms,” as Longfellow reminded Americans in 1860, ordinary folk in that region rose from their sleep, left their beds, and braced themselves to face the wrath of a fearsome, formidable foe.
A little after midnight, in the wee hours of April 19, 1775, Paul Revere reached the home of Rev. Jonas Clarke in Lexington where Hancock and Adams had been meeting with the famous patriot pastor. Dawes arrived at the home around 1 a.m. They both left rather quickly to set off to Concord to extend the warning to the patriot leaders there. By that time, however, Americans had already moved most of the small arms and their ammunition to another area.
And, though Revere and Dawes successfully made it to Lexington, neither of them made it to Concord. They met young Dr. Samuel Prescott who was to guide them to Concord not long after they left the Clarke home. However, within approximately 15 minutes of riding, all three were captured by a British patrol along the road. Dawes and Prescott got away, but Dawes was thrown by his horse, and eventually only Prescott made it to Concord. There had been a race
to awaken the people that their government had taken up arms against them.
Yet, the shot heard ’round the world’ sparked warfare. A rag-tag band of men and boys made their way to Lexington Green to wait in the dark of a cool April morning. They would have been uncertain of what would happen next because it had never happened before. Certainly, these brave souls had not read a British military manual instructing them that it was futile to resist. They stood their ground, waiting. Some may have been wondering if they would get back home to their beds that day. Approximately, 38 – 77 citizens (accounts vary) stood their ground — against 700 feared Redcoats. The ensuing conflict was a long and hard fought war and many people lost their lives. Yet, the founding generation understood that freedom came at great cost.They were willing to pay the price.
A long time ago, a wise person of faith stated that: “The cost of Liberty is eternal vigilance.” To keep a vigil, one must remain awake. To resist tyranny and reaffirm our grip upon foundations of Freedom, we must not only awaken, but all who love Freedom must must arise, and stand with others who are aligned with God and other patriots, to defend the Republic. America needs a new birth of freedom – a renewal of the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Our First President's Warning to the Nation
By Jason Yates 2/17/2022
On February 22, our nation will once again honor the 46 esteemed individuals who hold the title and distinction of President of the United States of America.
Many Americans may not realize that the federal holiday tethered to a long weekend was never officially named Presidents' Day. Instead, "George Washington Day" began as a way to honor our nation's first president on his birthday. States like Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, and New York still recognize the day by this title.
In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act pivoted what had been a day to remember Washington into a celebration for the presidency in general. And thanks to advertising campaigns for holiday sales, the term "Presidents' Day" became popularized and largely accepted.
One of the longest-running yet little-known traditions in our nation is reading George Washington's 1796 Farewell Address in the United States Senate chamber to celebrate this day.
More than just announcing he wasn't running for a third term in office, Washington's words served as an inspiration and warning to a nation struggling to preserve its union. In today's divisive political atmosphere, senators and Americans would do well to take heed of his letter addressed to "friends and fellow-citizens."
In 1862, Tennessee Senator (and future president) Andrew Johnson addressed the Senate, stating, "In view of the perilous condition of the country, I think the time has arrived when we should recur back to the days, the times, and the doings of Washington and the patriots of the Revolution, who founded the government under which we live." Thus began the long tradition of reading Washington's Address as a way to strengthen a nation divided by civil war. In the same year, President Abraham Lincoln instituted public readings of the "immortal Farewell Address" as a way to celebrate Washington's birthday.
By 1896, reading the document became an annual tradition in the Senate on or around Washington's Birthday, with the two political parties reading its contents on alternating years. The public delivery takes about 45 minutes. After each reading, the appointed senator signs a leather-bound book maintained by the secretary of the Senate, often adding personal comments and reflections on Washington's poignant words.
What is the significance of this Farewell Address? At 64 years old and suffering from physical and political strain, our nation's Founding Father decided he would not seek a third term in the nation's highest office. On September 19, 1796, instead of addressing Congress, Washington delivered his news to the American people through the Philadelphia Daily American Advertiser, which later spread through various papers around the country.
It quickly became the most notable address in the nation. According to John Avlon, the letter was more widely reprinted than the Declaration of Independence for the first 150 years of our republic.
I imagine that behind his letter to a nation was a longing for an indivisible fraction, only divided by state lines. Throughout his address, Washington stressed the need for unity and warned that a grave threat to the union would be the formation of political parties.
He believed unity of government and people was key to the country's survival, saying, "The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad, of your safety, of your prosperity, of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pain will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth…"
Washington recognized, and we at My Faith Votes are keenly aware, that faith is the central foundation of this sacred unity and our best hope for the nation.
Washington reminded the American people of the importance of religion and morality for our society, writing that not even education should replace religion, "Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
He urgently reminded a young America that "Democracy is less a system of government than it is a system to keep government limited, un-intrusive." He continued, "a system of constraints on power to keep politics and government secondary to the important things in life, the true sources of value found only in family and faith."
As we honor those who have served in America's highest office, may we reflect on the words from our first president and choose to stand for what is foundational to our nation. Politicians and citizens should cherish faith as it is critically important to personal and national well-being. May we heed Washington's warning and remember that faith makes essential contributions to the strength and freedom of our nation.
Jason Yates is the CEO of My Faith Votes. My Faith Votes—is a nonpartisan movement that motivates, equips and activates Christians in America to vote in every election, transforming our communities and influencing our nation with biblical truth. By partnering with national faith leaders, My Faith Votes provides resources to help Christians Pray, Think, and Act to create an America where God is honored in the public square. My Faith Votes provides easy-to-use resources that help you connect your private prayers to a public narrative. https://www.myfaithvotes.org/mfvtv for informative videos.
A Bit of History
From The National Archives: Teachable Texts: Who Fired the Shot Heard 'Round the World? Prequel to Independence: Who Fired the Shot Heard 'Round the World?
From HISTORY.com (w/ video): Battles of Lexington and Concord - Winner, Date, Summary
From HISTORY.com (w/ video): How Washington's Farewell Address Inspired Future Presidents
From The National Archives: Farewell Address, 19 September 1796
From HISTORY.com (w/ video): American Revolution begins at Battle of Lexington | April 19, 1775 | HISTORY
From The American Minute with Bill Federer: American Minute with Bill Federer - April 19
From Camp Constitution: Battle of Lexington Reenactment 2024 – 4/16/24
CONTINUE TO SEEK THE TRUTH AS THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE
Onward and Upward!
From Bannon's War Room: House Debate & Votes on Foreign Aid Bills – 4/20/24
From Facts Matter with Roman Balmakov: Scheme to Eliminate Electoral College 76% Complete – 4/10/24
From Bannon's War Room: Today's Churchill Moment: American Populists Vs. The American Elite – 4/20/24
From United Sovereign Americans: United Sovereign Americans Chairman, Harry Haury Testimony at Disbarment Trial of Jeffrey Clark – From NTD TV (4/3/24)
From Behold Israel with Amir Tsarfati: Breaking News: Iran's Attack and Israel's Response – 4/14/24
From My Faith Votes: A Rally Cry for Faith (With Jason Yates) – 2/29/24
ICYMI > Professor David Clements Speaks to TGP About his New “Let My People Go” Film – From The Gateway Pundit (3/3/24)
ICYMI > WORLDWIDE RELEASE: ‘Let My People Go’ FULL MOVIE – From Conservative Daily (3/4/24)
Recommended Reading…
From Breitbart: Mike Johnson Surrenders: Democrats Seize Control of House Floor – 4/19/24
From Breitbart: Exclusive — Jim Banks: Speaker Johnson ‘Handed the Speaker’s Gavel Over to the Democrats’ – 4/20/24
From Craig Huey’s Election Forum: DOJ: New Bureaucracy to Confiscate Guns— 6 Things You Should Know… – 4/9/24
From Canada Free Press: A Biden Victory Would Sound the Death Knell for America – 4/20/24
From Canada Free Press by A. Dru Kristenev: States lead in blocking Fed/UN/WHO edicts, weather modification | Canada Free Press – 4/11/24
From American Thinker: Israel and America at a Crossroad – 4/19/24
PLEASE SHARE WITH OTHERS TO SPARK & SUSTAIN COMMON SENSE