Two sides, One goal

History will judge us.  It always does.

The musical "1776" in movie and on stage revealed more about the Declaration of Independence than I ever thought about. Each video is about 4 minutes long.

Vote yes

                                        Cool Considerate men

Molasses to Rum to Slaves

At one point, Adams and Franklin are discussing how history will view them. He said don't worry we'll be dead and that history would clean it all up.  

If you can watch this, do! So many good actors, such good music, and  messages for our generations are there.

 

Vote Yes in 1776

  

In the 80s, some amazing musicals were on stage.  Amazing is probably not a big enough word. We loved many of them.

 Our favorite remains so to this day---

1776

There were so many issues to be ironed out in those wobbly days of The Colonies and the Revolutionary War. Those issues that were shelved and the Declaration of Independence was shredded, redacted and pasted back together. 

The key section that affected the stuttering of the passing on the Declaration was the one that addressed slavery.  The South were vehemently, violently against this section.  Only if the section about slavery was edited out would they agree to pass the Declaration. John Collum (Northern Exposure) ripped this song, making this an even more intense issue.

 

                                        The dialogue below is from the musical

Edward Rutledge : [In the final vote for Independence, Rutledge wants the slavery clause removed from the Declaration, or else he will vote against independence] Well, Mr. Adams?

John Adams : Well, Mr. Rutledge.

Edward Rutledge : [stands] Mr. Adams, you must believe that I *will* do what I promised to do.

John Adams : [stands and approaches him] What is it you want, Rutledge?

Edward Rutledge : Remove the offending passage from your Declaration.

John Adams : If we did that, we would be guilty of what we ourselves are rebelling against.

Edward Rutledge : Nevertheless... remove it, or South Carolina will bury, now and forever, your dream of independence.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin : John? I beg you consider what you're doing.

John Adams : Mark me, Franklin... if we give in on this issue, posterity will never forgive us.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin : That's probably true, but we won't hear a thing, we'll be long gone. Besides, what would posterity think we were? Demi-gods? We're men, no more no less, trying to get a nation started against greater odds than a more generous God would have allowed. First things first, John. Independence; America. If we don't secure that, what difference will the rest make?

John Adams : [long pause] Jefferson, say something.

Thomas Jefferson : What else is there to do?

John Adams : Well, man, you're the one that wrote it.

Thomas Jefferson : I *wrote* ALL of it, Mr. Adams.

[stands and goes to the Declaration, crosses out the clause]

John Adams : [snatches the paper from Jefferson and takes it to Rutledge] There you are, Rutlege, you have your slavery; little good may it do you, now VOTE, damn you!

Edward Rutledge : [takes the paper] Mr. President, the fair colony of South Carolina...

[looks at Adams]

Edward Rutledge : ... says yea.

 

 All the "if only's" of history could have changed the course of history.

What say you?