Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-04
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1875.

The unanimous Declaration Of the Thirteen United
States Of america.
When, in the course Of human events, it be-
comes necessary for one people to dissolve the
political bands which have connected them with
another, and to assume, among the powers OF
the earth, the separate and equal station to
- which the laws of nature and OF natures God
entitle them to, decent respect to the opini-
ons of mankind requires that they should de-
clare the causes which impel them TO the sePa-
ration.
We hold these truths to be self-evident:-that
all men are created equal; that they are en-
dowed by their Creator with certain unalien-
able rights; that among these are life, liberty,
and the pursuit Of happiness. That to secure
these rights, governments are instituted among
men, deriving their just powers from the con-
sent of the governed; that whenever any form OF
government becomes destructive Of these ends,
it is the right of the people to alter or abolish
il, and to institute new government, laying its
foundation on such principles, and organizing
its power in such form, as to them shall seem
most likely 10 effect their safety and happiness.
Prudence indeed, will dictate, that governments
long established should not be changed Tor hight
and transient causes; and accordingly all expe-
rience hath shown, that mankind are more dis
posed to suffer while evils are sutierabie, than
to right themselves by abolishing the forms to
which they are accustomed. But when long
train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing lnva'
riably the same object, evinces desire to re-
duce them under absolute despotism, 1t is their
right, it is their duty, to throw of such govern
ment and to provide new guards for their tu-
,ure security. Such has been the patient suffer-
ance Of these colonies; and such is now the ne
eessity which constrains them to alter their
former systems of government The history
of the present king of Great Britain, is histo-
nv of repeated injuries and usurpations, all
having in direct object the establishment OF an
absolute tyranny over these states. 10 prove
this. let facts be submitted to candid world.
He has refused his assent to laws the most
wholesome and necessary for the public good
He has forbidden his governors to pass laws
of immediate and pressing Importance, unless
suspended in their operation, till his assent
should be obtained; and when so suspended, he
has utterly neglected to attend to them lie
has refused to pass other laws for the accom-
dation of large districts of people, unless
those people would relinquish the right Of re-
presentation in the legislature-a right inesti-
mable to them, and formidable 10 tyrants only.
He has called together Legislative bodies at
places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from
the repository of their public records, for the
sole purpose of tatiguing them into compliance
with his measures.
He has dissolved representative houses re-
peatedly, for opposing, with manly frmness,
his invasions of the rights of the people
He has refused, for long time after such
dissoutions, to cause others to be elected;
whereby the Legislative power, incapable of an
Inhalation, have returned to the people at large,
for their exercise, the state remaining, in the
mean time, exposed 10 all the dangers of inva-
sion from without, and eonvulsions within.
He has endeayored to prevent the population
of these states; for that purpose obstructing the
laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to
pass others to encourage their migration hi'her,
and raising the conditions of new appropria-
t;ons of lands.
He has INSTRUCTED the administration OF JUS
tce, by refusing his assent to laws tor establish
ing judiciary powers.
He has made judges dependent on his will a
lone, for the tenure of their offices, and the a
mount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected multitude of new offices,
and sent hither swarms of officers, to harass
our people, ard eat ont their substance.