Opinion – Remarks – July 4, 1776 – July 4, 2012

All 56 were rich men who met in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. Eleven were prosperous businessmen. Nine were wealthy farmers. Twenty-four were lawyers and judges. The remaining 45 were doctors, educators and clergymen.

This special group did, however, have a more important trait in common. Although they were all considered the elite of 18^th century America, they were willing to risk their lives and fortunes to approve the final draft of a document, which on that date – July 4 – asserted that all men were created equal.

Thomas Paine cried out, “These are the times that try men’s souls.”

Yet these 56 men, who ranged in age from 26 to 70, did not shirk from serving their