Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1917-02-16
A REVISED DECLARATION
OF INDEPENDENTS

(From the New York Daily World
When, in the course of inhumane
events, it becomes necessary for one
people to dissolve the diplomatic
bands which have connected them
with another, and to assume among
the powers of the earth the honoru-
Bile station to which the laws of hu-
manity and humanitys God entitlc
them, decent respect for the opin-
ions of mankind requires that they
should declare the causes which impcl
them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self evil
dent, that all men mot Germans
alone) are created equal. that they
are endowed by their creator with GER
tain unalicnable rights, that among
these are life, liberty, and the pur-
suit of happiness, even if the last
named carries them across the seas
on legitimate errands. That to Sc
cure these rights Governments are
instituted among men, deriving their
powers from the consent of the gov.
erned, and international law is based
upon the precepts of humanity and a
decent respect for the rights of 9TH
ers; that whenever any form of gov
eminent becomes destructive to these
ends it is the right of any people to
organize its powers in such form as
to them shall seem most likely TO eff.
feet their safety and happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that
Government long friendly with
another nation houid not break of di.
r'omatic relations for light and trans.
irnt causes. But when long train
~ abuses and usurpations. pursuing
invariably the same object, cvince.
design to reduce them to absolute
iespotism, it. is their right, it is thcil
luty TO throw off such relationships
and to provide new guards for THEN
future security. Such has been tho
patlence sutferance of these United
States, and such is now the necessit,
which constrains them to forego fur,
her diplomatic intercourse.
The history of the present Empcro,
1f Germany is II history of repeated
INJURIES and usurpations, all having il
rect object the establishment of m
'bsolute tyrrany over these states. Tt
'roVe this let facts be submitted tC
candid world.
tie has invaded the sovereignty OF
he United States on its own soil.
He has defined our laws, conspireG
.'gainst our industry and commerce
melted strikes and riots and placed
explosives in ships, factories and ware
houses.
He has levied war from our terri.
cory upon Canada, endeavored by bri
oery to persuade Mexico to make wa,
upon US, forged and bedevilcd our
passports and in numerous cases. Inv
he use Of the bomb and the torch
destroyed American lives and Amer
lean property.
Hc has denied the people of the
United States the lawful use of the
ieaS. Refusing to risk his great navy
ne has impudently asserted rights on
ne ocean accorded to nobody since
'he suppression of piracy and buc-
'aneering.
lie has sunk our ships and massa-
RED our people, boasting of it one day
and the next mockingly expressing
regret. r
lie has promised reformation and
reparation and has broken every
pledge. Heretofore he has eouivocnt-
ed and apologized.
lie has also maintained in this
country at great cost. under the lead
ership of German officials and Ger
man mercenaries. IL propaganda for
the encouragement of treason against
the United States, political agita-
ton calculated to mislead our people
as to their rights and duties.
He instituted in the recent election
a far-reaching movement, intended in
the interest of aliens to dispIace n
President of the United States whose
sole oifense was the strict observance
of neutrality.
We, therefore, the people of the
United States of America, appealing
TO the Supreme Judge of the world
for the rectitude of our intentions. do
solemnly publish and declare that
these United States are absolved
from all vassalage to the Prussian
crown and that all displomatic con-
nection between US and the Imperial
Government of Germany is and ought
10 be totally dissolved; and that ms
free and independent States the peo-
pie OF the United States have full
power to conduct commerce and have
'ree use of the seas and do all other
'hings, which Independent States NAV
# right do.
And for the support of this DECLARE
ION, with firm reliance on the pro-
ection of Divine Providence. we mn
tually pledge to each other our lives.
Cur fortunes and our sacred honor.
EVERYBODY BEHIND WILSON.