North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-07-10

As,F1Rsr WRITTEN AND AFTERwARD
AMENDED.
WHEN, in the course of human events,
it becomes necessary for one people to dis
solve the political bands which have con-
nected them with another, and to assume
among the powers of the earth the separate
and equal station to which the laws of ma
ture's 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 inalien.
able rights that among these are life, lib
erty, and the pursuit of happiness that to
secure these rights, governments are insti-
tuted among men, deriving 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 abolish it, and to institute new
government, laying its foundation on such
principles, 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 chang
ed for light and transient. causes; and ac-
cordlngly all experience hath shown that
mankind are more disposed to suffer while
evils are suferable, than to right themselves
by abolishing the forms to which they are
accustomed. But when a long train OF
abuses and usurpations begun at a distin-
guished period and pursuing invariably
the same object, evinces design to reduce
them under absolute despotism, it is their
right, it is their duty to throw off such gov
ernment, and to provide new guards for
their future security. Such has been the
patient suferance of these colonies and
such is now the necessity which constrains
them to their former systems of govern
ment. The history of the present king of
Great Britain is history of injuries and
usurpations, in direct object the establish
ment of an obsolute tyranny over these
states. To prove this, let facts be submit
ted to a candid world for the truth of
which we pledge faith yet unsullied by
falsehood.
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 50
suspended, he has utterly neglected to at
tend them.
He has refused to pass other laws for
the accommodation oflarge districts of peo-
pie, unless those people would relinquish
right OF representation in the legislature
right inestimable to them, and formida-
bic to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bod
les at places unusual, uncomfortable, and
distaet> from the depository of their public
records, for the sole purpose of fatiguiug
them into compliance with his measures.
He has resolved representative houses
repeatedly, for opposing, with manly firm
ness, his invasion on the rights OF the peo-
pie.
He has refused, for 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, expos
ed to all the danger of invasion from with
out, and convulsions within.
He has endeavored to prevent the pop
uIation of these States; for that purpose,
obstruciing the laws for naturalization Of
foreigners refusing to pass others to en-
courage their migration hither, and rails
ing the conditions of new appropriations
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 payment of their salaries.
He has erected multitude of new Of
fees, and sent hither swarms of officers tc
harass our people, and eat out their sph,
stance.
He has kept among Us, 10 tir,Aa q
peace, standing armies, without che con
sent of our Legislature.
de has affected to render the military
independent Of and Superior to, the civi
he mas cernbined, with others, to sub
Ject us t0 d Jurisdiction foreign to our con
sutpslo q, and unacknowledged by our laws
giving his assent to their acts ofpretendec
, legislation:
For quartering large bodies Of armed
troops among US;
For protecting them, by mock trial
from punishment, for any murders which
they should commit on tho inhabitants o
these States,
For cutting off our trade with all part
of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without ou