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"Citizens", not "Subjects"

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vagt6

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"Citizens", not "Subjects"

In the national news the last couple of days, the story about scientists discovering that Jefferson changed the word "subjects" to "citizens" in the Declaration of Independence just before it was finished. It seems Jefferson went to great pains to make sure no one could tell he changed the wording by carefully writing over the word "subjects" in the final draft of the document. Only until the scientist used highly advanced imaging techniques was this change noticed.

The meaning of the change in these two tiny words makes all the difference. It means that in declaring independence from the King, Americans went from <span style="font-style: italic">subjects</span> (allegiance to the king) to <span style="font-style: italic">citizens</span> (allegiance to each other)! This embodies very meaning of democracy.

How profound! Was it Franklin who influenced this change? Was it Jefferson's idea? We'll never know. At any rate, it was Jefferson who made the change.

Great Jefferson continues to wow us, even today.

Just amazing, I think. :yesnod:

Happy Fourth of July to you all.
 
Re: "Citizens", not "Subjects"

The fact that the era had some of the smartest people to group together for one cause.
Don't know if it would happen again
 
Re: "Citizens", not "Subjects"

DNK said:
The fact that the era had some of the smartest people to group together for one cause.
Don't know if it would happen again
Click to expand...

Probably not - the media would rip them to shreds.
 
Re: "Citizens", not "Subjects"

Ah, the media...a cause of recessions, discontent, wars, and political turmoil. We want the news, but it often messes us up too...

I would never enter politics with the current media probing into every detail, and keeping things on the front burner.
 
Re: "Citizens", not "Subjects"

Brooklands said:
Ah, the media...a cause of recessions, discontent, wars, and political turmoil. We want the news, but it often messes us up too...

I would never enter politics with the current media probing into every detail, and keeping things on the front burner.
Click to expand...

Uh huh.
 
Re: "Citizens", not "Subjects"

But don't forget that the media ripped the founding fathers to shreads in their time. I'm sure, no less pressure then than today.

Jefferson was called some of the vilest things possible in the media, even smearing his wife.

The thing that they created, freedom of the press, was often their greatest source of angst. Just like today, no worse, no better.

Just a bit more of it going on. :yesnod:
 
Re: "Citizens", not "Subjects"

"'Twas ever thus..."
 
Re: "Citizens", not "Subjects"

... no more/less political than any of the above.

but, as you wish...

I shall respectfully refrain from any further comment.



I'm suprised Tom wrote it like that to begin with.
 
Re: "Citizens", not "Subjects"

kellysguy said:
... no more/less political than any of the above.

but, as you wish...

I shall respectfully refrain from any further comment.



I'm suprised Tom wrote it like that to begin with.
Click to expand...

You have a PM
 
Re: "Citizens", not "Subjects"

Class, lets please keep the discussion on the historical aspects of this thread and not what may or may not be going on politically today.
281x211_driessen.jpg


mmm k?
 
Re: "Citizens", not "Subjects"

Can we talk about the historical political media aspects of this?

Man, what a hole THAT could be!
 
Re: "Citizens", not "Subjects"

TOC said:
Can we talk about the historical political media aspects of this?

Man, what a hole THAT could be!
Click to expand...

That all depends on how much you like cheese :jester:
 
Re: "Citizens", not "Subjects"

<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-size: 23pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">RUTABAGA!!!</span></span></span>
 
Re: "Citizens", not "Subjects"

The big difference I see is that most of the founders understood the meanings conveyed by words individually and language as a whole much more than many at the time and certainly more than most these days.
 
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