David Boaz on the signers of the Declaration of Independence

More than 200 years ago Thomas Jefferson and the other signers of the Declaration of Independence committed themselves to the cause of American liberty with these words: "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."

And they weren't kidding. Twelve signers had their homes ransacked and burned by the British. Nine more died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. None, however, lost their sacred honor.

~ David Boaz, executive VP, Cato Institute, "The Coming Century of Liberty," Fall 2007