"The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence) were not poor men, they were not wild-eyed pirates. These were means. They were rich men (most of them) and had enjoyed much ease and luxury in their personal living. Not hungry men. Certainly not terrorists, not irresponsible malcontents not fanatical incendiaries. These men were prosperous men, wealthy land owners. they were substantially secure in their prosperity they had everything to lose, but