The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-07-07
The Declaration Of independence
. OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

LII congress hSSemOteu-JUty 4, lIIO.
WHEN, in the course of human events
il tbecomes necessary for one people to dis
solve the political bands which have con.
necfed them with another, and to assume
among the powers of the earth the sepa-
rate and equal station TO which the laws o
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 truths to be self evident
that all men are created equal; 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, governments
( are instituted among men, deriving their
Just powers from the consent OF the gov.
erned; that whenever any form of govern
rnent becomes destructive 10 these ends,
tits the right Of the people TO alter or abol-
ish il, and 10 institute new government,
laying its foundation on such principles,
and organizing its powers in such form, as
TO them shall seem most likely 10 effect
their safety and happiness. Prudence, in
deed, will dictate that governments long
established should not be changed for light
and transient causes; and, accordingly, all
experience hath shown that mankind are
more disposed to suffer. while evils are
sufferable, than to right themselves by
abolishing the forms to which they are
accustomed. But when a long train of
abuses and usurpations, pursuing invari-
ably the same object, evinces a design to
reduce them under absolute despotism, 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 II patient suferance Of these colo
nies; and such is now the necessity which
constrains them TO alter their former sys.
tens OF government. The history of the
present king of Great Britain is a history
Of repeated injuries and usurpa'ions, all
having in direct object the establishment
of an absolute tyranny over these states.
To prove this, let facts be submitted to
candid world:
He has refused his assent to laws tho
most wholesome and necessary for the
public good.
: He has forbidden his governors to pass
laws Of immediate and pressing import
ance. unless suspended in their operations
till his assent should be obtained; and,
when. so suspended, he has utterly neglect
ed TO attend to them.
He has refused to pass other laws. for
the accommodation of large districts of
people, unless those people would relin.
qnish the right of representation in the
legislature-a right inestimable to them.
and formidable to tYrants only.
He has called together Legislative bodies
at places, unusual. uncomfortable. and
distant from the depository Of thsir public
records, for the sole purpose OF fatiguing
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 long time after
such dissolutons. to- cause others to be
elected; whereby the legislative powers,
incapable of annihlation, have returned
10 the people at large, for their exercise;
the state remaining, in the meantime, ex.
posed to all the danger Of invasion from
without and commissions within.
He has endeavored to prevent the pop
ulation of these states; for that purpose
,obstructing the laws for the naturalization
of foreigners refusing to pass others to
encourage their migration hither, and
raising the condition of new appropria-
tons of lands.
He has obstructed the administration of
Justice, by refusing his assent to laws for
establishing judiciary powers.
He has made judges dependent on his
will alone for the tenure Of their. offices,
and hs amount and payment of their
salaries.
lie has erected a multitude of new
Offices, and sent hither swarms of officers,
to haraass our population and eat ou, their
SUBSTANCE.
He has kept among US, in time Of peace,
standing armies, without the consent of
our Legislature.
He has affected to render the military
independent of, and superior to, the civil
power.
He has combined with others to subject
us to a jurisdiction foreign to. our constitu-
tion, and unacknowledged by. our laws,
giving his assent to their acts Of pretended
Legislation:
For Adartering large bodies of armed
troops among US;
or protecting them, by mock trial,
ffOm punishment for any. murders which
they Aould commit on the inhabitants Of
theselstates:
For cutting off our trade with all parts
Of tfA world:
Hpr imposing taxes on us without our
col lent: y
For depriving us, in many cases, Of the
benefits Of trial by jury:
For transporting us beyond seas, 10 be