The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-04

He has combined with others to subject us to a
Jurisdiction foreign to our constitutions, and I'M
acknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to
their acts of pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among
US;
For protecting Them by a mock trial. from pun
ishment for any murders which they should COM
NIT on the inhabitants of these States;
For cutting of our trade with all parts of the
world;
For imposing taxes without CONSENT
For depriving US, in many cases, of the benefits
of trial by jury;
For transporting US beyond seas to be tried for
pretended offences;
For aboshing the free system of English laws
In neighboring province, establishing therein an
arbitrary government and charging Its boundaries,
so as to render 1t at once an example and ct in
strument for introducing the same absolute rule
into these colonies;
For taking away charters, nbolshirg our
most valuable laws, and altering, fundamentally the
forms of our governments;
For suspending our own legislatures, and declnr-
ing themselves invested with power to lcsIsate for
US In all cases whatsoever
lie has abdicated government here by declaring US
out OF his protection, and waging war against u.s.
lie has plundered seas, ravnged our coasts,
burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of
people
He is at this time transporting large armies of
foreign mercenares to complete the works of death,
desolation, and tyranny. already begun with cir
cumstances Of cruelty and perdy scarcely paraleed
In the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy
the head Of a civilized nation.
lie mas constrained our fellOw-citizenS, taken
tive on the high seas, to bear against their
country, to become the executioners friends
and brethren, to fall themselves by their hands
He has excited domestic insurrection among u.s.
and has endeavored to bring the inhabitants of
our frontiers the mercess Indian savages, whose
known rule Of warfare is undistingulshed desruc-
ton of all ages sexes, and conditions.
In every stage of these expressions we have petit
toned for redress in the most humble terms; our
repeated petitions have been answered only by re-
peated injury. prince whose character is thus
marked by every act which may define tyrant, is
unfit to be the ruler of q free people.
Nor have we been wanting in attentions to
our British brethren. We have warned them from
time to time, of attempts by their legislature
tend an unwarrHntable Jurisdiction u.s. We
have reminded them of the circumstances of our
emigration and settlement here. We have appealed
to their native Justice and magnaninity and We
have conjured them by the ties of our common kim
dred, to disavow these usurpations, which would
eyitaby interrupt our connections and correspond
ence. They, too, have been deaf to the voice OF
justice and consanguintY. We must therefore,
1uiesce in the necessity which denounces separa-
ton, and hold them, hold the rest of mankind,
enemies in war, in peace friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United
States of America, in General Congress assembled,
appealing TO the Supreme Judge of the world tho
rectitude of intentions, do in the name and by
the authority of the good people of these colonies,
solemny publish and declare, That these united
Colonies are, and of right ought be free and
dependent states; that they abSolved from all
allegiance to the British crown and that all political
connection between them and the state OF Great
Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and
that as free and independent states, they have full
power to levy war, conclude peace, contract al
liances, establish commerce, and do oil other
and things which Independent states may of right
do. And, for the support Of this declaration, with
firm reliance on the protection of Divine ProvI-
dence we mutually pledge to each other lives,
our fortunes and our sacred honor.