Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-06-28
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
In Congress. July 4, 1776.


THE UNANIMOUS DEt LAaATioN OF TuE THrR-
TEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
When in the course of human events, il be.
comes necessary for one people to dissolve the
political bands which have connected them with
another, and 10 assume among the powers OF
the earth, the separate and equal station to I
which the laws of nature and of natures God
eptitle them, decent respect to the opinions
nf mankind requires that they should declare
the causes which compel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be selt.evidont--that
all men are created equal; that they are en-
dowed, by their Creator, with certain "nal'en-
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 ofhe people to alter or abol
i;h it, and to institute a new government, lay
ING is foundation on such principles and organ
iz:ug its powers in such form, as to them shall
seem most likely to effect their safety and hap
piness. Prudence, indeed will dictate, that 60
vernmenis long established, should not be chan
ged for light and transient causes and, accord.
ingly, all experience hath shown that mankind
are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sut-
ferable, than TO right themselves by aboiishng
the forms to which they are accustomed. But
when long train of buses and usurpations, pur-
suing invariably the same object evinces de-
sign to reduce them under absolute despotsm,
it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such
government, and to provide new guards for their
future security. Such has been the patien, suf.
terance Of these colonies, and such is now the
necessity which constrains them to alter their
former systems Of government. The history OF
the present king of Great Britain is history of
repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in
direct object the establishment of an absolute
tyranny owe: these states. To prove this, let
facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his assent to laws The most
wholesome and necessary for the public good
lie Inns forbidden his governors to pass laws
OF immediate and pressing importance, unless
suspended in their operation till hsassent should
be obtained and, when so suspended be has
utterly neglected to attend to them.
lie has refused to pass other laws, for the ac-
commodaton of large districts of people, unless
those people would rclinquish the right of frepre-
sentaton in the lcgisatnre-a right incstima-
Bile to them, and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies, at
places unusual uncomfortable, and dstan, iron,
the depository oftheir public records, for the
sole purpose otiatiguing them into compliance
with his measures.
lie has dissolved representative houses, re-
Peatedly, for opposing with manly iirmncss hi.
invasions on the rights of the people,
He has refused for long time after such dis
solutions, to cause others to be elected where
by the legislative powers, incapable Of annihila
lion, have returned to the people at large, 70
their exercise the state remaining, in tn,
mean time, exposed TO all the danger Of invasion
from without and convulsions within.
He has endeavored to prevent the population
Of these states for that purpose obstructing tn,
laws for naturalization of foreigners refusin!
to pass others 10 encourage their migration hi
,her, and raising the conditions Of new appropr
utions of lands
He has obstructed the administration of in:
tce, by refusing his assentto laws, for establish
ing judiciary powers.
lie has made judges dependent on his will I
lone for the tenure of their offices, and the
mount and payment Of their salaries
He has erected multitude of new Offices, on
sent hithcr swarms Of officers, to harass our pc,
pie, and eat out their substance.
He has sent among US, in time Of peace stan,
ing armies, without the consent of our egisl,
ture.
lie mas affected TO render the military ind,
pendep. of, ani superior to, the civil power.
He has combined with others TO subject us
jurisdiction, foreign to our constitution, ar
unacknowedged by our laws giving his a
sent to their acts of pretended legislation.
For quarterlng large bodies Of armed troo
omong US;
For protecting them by mock trial, fro
punishment for any murders which they shou
commit on the inhabitants Of these states
For cutting Of our trade with ell parts OF I
world;
For imposing taxes on US without our &C
sent;
For dePryng US, in many cases, of the
neht of trial 10y jury;
For transporting us beyond the seas, TO
tried for pretended offences;
oil, tho 1f E11t