The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-07-04

For abolishing the free system of Eng
lish laws in a neighboring province, estab-
fishing therein an arbitrary government,
and enlarging its boundaries, so as to rem
der it at once an example and fit instru-
ment for introducing the same absolute
rule into these colonies:
For taking away our charters, abolish
ING our most valuable laws, and altering
fundamentally the forms of our govern
ment.
For suspending our own Legislatures,
and declaring themselves invested with
power to legislate for us in all cases what
soever.
He has abdicated government here, by
declaring us out of his protection, and way
ing war against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our
coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed
the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large ar
mics of foreign mercenaries to complete the
works of death, desolation, and tyranny
already begun with circumstances of cru
city and perfdy scarcely paralleled in the
most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy
the head of civilized nation.
He has constrained cur fellow citizens
taken captive on the high seas to bear
arms against their country, to become the
executioners of their friends and brethren,
or to fall themselves by their hands.
He has excited domestic instructions
amongst US, and has endeavored to bring
on the inhabitants Of our frontiers the mer-
ciless Indian savages, whose known rule 81
warfare is undistinguished destruction of
all ages, sexes, and conditions:
In every stage Of these expressions we
have petitioned for redress in the most
humble terms. Chr repeated petitions
have been answered only by repeated in
jury. \ prince whose character l. thus
marked by every act which may define a
tyrant. Is unfit to be the ruler Of free Peo-
pie.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions
to our British brethren We have warned
them. from time to time, Of attempts by
their legislature to extend an unwarrania-
bic jurisdiction over Us. We have remind
ed them Of the circumstances Of our mi
grafton and settlement here We have
appealed to their native justice and mag
nauimity. and We have eonjured them by
the tie, of our common kindred To iI>avow
these usurpatiuns, which would inevitably
Interrupt our connexions and correspond
enee They. too. have been deaf to the
voice of justice and Of cousau-ainity- We
must. therefore, acquieScc in the necessity
which denounces our separation. and hold
them. a We hold the rest Of mankind
enemies in war, in peace friends.
We, therefore, the representatives ~ the
United States Of America. in general t"n-
gress assembled, appealing to thu supreme
judge IT the world. for the ree,i;udc If
our intentions dc. in the name and hy
the authority Of the good people Of These
~oIemnly publish aud ,ierlarc
that these united colonies are and # night
ought to he, free aud independent State
that they are absolycd from al ALLEGIANCE
10 the British crown. and that AZ J-3ii:iaal
connexion between them and the State ul
Great Britain h. and ought 90 be- Totally
dissolved. aud that as free and IusleTend
ent States, they have full power 70 levy
war, conclude peace, contract alliances, e,
tablish co,nmercc. aud "a do al other aols
and things which independent State, may
Of right Do, And for the support If tbs,
declaration. with a frm reliance an The
Of Divine Providence. ve aaJa
ais pledge o. each other our live, cur
fortunes. and our sacred honor