Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-07-06
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
PASSED BY TIE CONGRESS
OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA, JULY 4th, l116.

When, in the course of human events, it
becomes necessary for one people to dis
solve the political bonds which have con-
nected them with another, and to assume,
among the powers of the earth, the separ-
ate and equal station which the laws of
nature and Of natures God entitle them, a
decent respect to the opinions OF mankind
requires that they should declare the causes
which impel them to the separation.
We hold these these truths to be self evi-
dent; that all men are created equal, that
that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable rights, that among
these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. That to secure these rights 60
vernments are instituted among men, de-
irving their just powers from the consent of
the governed that whenever any form of
government becomes destructive of these
ends, it is the right of the people to alter or
TO abolish it, and to institute new govern
ment, laying its foundation upon such prin-
ciples, and organizing its powers in such
form as to them shall seem most likely to
effect their safety and happiness. Pru-
dence, indeed, will dictate that govern
ments long established should not be chan
ged for light and transient causes and, ac-
cordingly, all experience hath shown, that
mankind are more disposed to suffer, while
everts are suferable, than to right them
selves by abolishing the forms to which
they are accustomed. But when a long
train of abuses and uSurpations, pursuing in
varably the same object, evinces design
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 patient suflerance of these Colo
nies, such is now the necessity which con-
strains them TO alter their former systems of
government. The history of the present
King Of Great Britain, is history of re-
peated injuries and usurpations, all having,
in direct object, the establishment Of an alb
solute tyranny over these States. To prove
this, let the facts be submitted to candid
world.
He has refused his assent to laws the
most wholesome and necessary for the pub
lie 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 Sus-
pended, he has utterly neglected to attend
to them. He has refused to pass other
laws for the accommodation of large dis
trictS of people, unless those people would
relinquiSh the right of representation in
the Legislature, right inestImable 10 them
and formidable to tyrantS only.
He has called together legislative bodies
at places unusual, uncomfortable, and dis
tant from the repository of their public re-
cords, for the sole purpose of fatigueing
them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved representative houses
repeatedly, for opposing, with manly firm
ness, his invasions on the rights OF the
people.
He has refused, for a long time after
such disSolutions, TO cause others TO be
elected; whereby the legislative powers
incapable of annihilation, have returned to
the people at large, for their exercise, the
State remaining, in the mean time, exposed
to all the dangers of invasion from without,
and convulslons within.
He has endeavored TO prevent the popu-
lation Of these States; for that purpose OBJ
structing the laws for naturalization of for
eigners; refusing to pass others to encour-
age their migration hlther, and raising the
conditions of new appropriations of land.
He has obStructed the administration o
justice, by refusing his assent 10 laws fol
establishing judiciary powers.