The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-07-04
Declaration of Independence.

Declaration of Independence.
4 Declaration by Tie Representatives. Of
he United StdieS Of ADIerica, IN Con-
greS assembled
When, in the course of human events,
1t becomes 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 aud equal station to which
the laws of nature and of natures God
entitle them, decent respect to the
opinions of mankind requires that they
should declare the causes which impcl
them 10 the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-eyident.
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
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 a 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 aud happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that govern
ments 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 sulierable, than to right
themselves by abolishing the forms to
which they are accustomed But, when
long train of abuses and usurpations,
pursuing invariably the same object, evin-
ccs design to reduce them under abso-
lutte dcspOtism, 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 suf-
ierance 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 a history of repeated injuries
and usurpations, all having, in disect
object, the establishment of an absolute
tyranny oy er these States, Toproye this,
let facts be submitted to a 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 import
ance, unless suspended in their operation
till his assent should be obtained aud,
when so suspended, he has utterly neglec-
teu 10 attciu W tnem.
lie has refused to pass other laws for
the accommodation of large districts of
people, unless those people would relin-
quish the right of representation in the
Legislature right inestimable to them,
aud formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together Legislative bodies
at places unusual, uncomfortable, and
distant from the depository of their 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 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
10 all the danger of invasion from without,
aud commissions within.
lie has endeayored to prevent the popu-
lation Of these States for that purpose
obstructing the laws for naturalization Of
foreigners; refusing to pass others to
encourage their migration hither, and
raising the conditions Of new appropria-
tions 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
win alone, for tho tenure Of their Offices,
and the amount and payment Of their
salaries.
He has erected multitude Of new
offices, and sent hi,her swarms Of officers
to hnnss our people, and eat ont their sub
stance.
He has kept among us, 10 times Of
peace. standing armies, without The consent
of our Legislature