---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 8
number: 9
published: 1905-07
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Questions and Answers," *Improvement Era* 8, no. 9 (July 1905): 704.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0809unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera0809unse
start_page: 704
end_page: 704
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1905-07)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0809unse
  publication_year: 1905
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1905, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# Questions and Answers

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is,   in brief, a history of the   action which has rendered the Fourth
of July dear to     all   Americans, and the occasion of the sincerest
rejoicing.
        But these men fully understood the seriousness of their action,
and     its possible consequences to themselves and their country.
They knew that their mere declaration did not make the United
Colonies "free and independent states." That independence, they
knew, would have to be achieved by bloodshed, and the greatest
personal sacrifices. Hence, Benjamin Franklin's reply to the re.
mark of a fellow-congressman that they must hang together.
"Yes." said he, "if we don't hang together, we shall all hang separately."      For the issuance of this declaration was considered, in
Great Britain, a treasonable act, and worthy of death.             And after
all,   our great criterion, in distinguishing the patriot and the rebel,
is    success or failure.     But the outcome justified the heroic action
of the Continental Congress, although the           war was waged         six
years longer, and at times the patriot cause seemed almost hopeless, yet triumph came at length,       and by the treaty of Paris, signed in September, 1783, the Declaration of Independence became of
full force    and efficacy.
        Hence, although the pen of Jefferson produced the Declaration, it was sealed with the blood       of thousands.    Nay, may it not
be said, that in effect the document was written with sword and
bayonet, in the life-blood of patriots, and not with Jefferson's pen.
And the celebration         of the day should accordingly be approached
not only with festivity and rejoicing, but with serious thought on
how to maintain that independence, and with deep thanksgiving to
the God of nations.           ,
                                            Willard Done.
                      QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Mahonri Moriancumer.
    Is the name of the brother of Jared known?        If so,   what is it, and
 when was it made known?