The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-04
Declaration Of Independence
m CONGRESS, JULY /, 177s

WHEN IN the course Of human events, It becomes
~ necessary for people to dissolve the Political
bands which have connected them with another, and
to assume. among the powers Of the earth. the sep
arate and equal station TO which the lava Of
and OF natures God entite them, decent respect
the opinions Of mankind requires that they should
declare the causes which impei them to the separa
ton.
We hold these truths be self-evident THAT ali
men are created equal; that they are endowed BY
their Creator with certain unalenable rights: that
among these life, liberty, and the pursuit Of hap.
piness That to secure these rights governments
Instituted among men. deriving their Just powers
from the consent Of the governed; that. whenever
any form OF government becomes destructive OF
these ends 1t is the right Of the people alter
to abolish II. and to institute new government.
laying its foundation on such principles and or
ganizing It's powers in such FORM as to them shall
most likely effect their safety and happiness
Prudence indeed, will dictate. that governments 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 sufferable, than to right themselves
by abolishing the forms to which they are accus-
toned. But when long train OF abuses and usur-
pations pursuing Invariably the same object evinces
a design to reduce them under absolute despotsm,
1t Ia their right 1t is their duty, to throw OF such
government, and to provide guards for their
future security. Such has been the patient suf-
ferance Of these colonies; and such 10 the
sity which constrans them to alter their former sys
TENS of government. The history Of the present
King OF Great Britain Is a history Of repeated In.
juries and usurpations all having in direct object
the establishment Of absolute tyranny over these
states. To prove this let facts be submitted to a
candid world
He has refused his assent to laws the most whole
some and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his governors to pasD laws OF
immediate and pressing importance, unless suspend
ed In their operation till his assent should be OBJ
tanned; and when % suspended. he has utterly
neglected to attend to them.
He has refused 10 pass other laws for ~ &c
commodation Of large districts Of people. unless
those people would relinqush the right Of reprsssn
tation In the legisaturea right inestmable to Them
and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies ut places
unusual uncomfortable, and distant from the de-
pository Of their public records, for the sole pur
pose Of fatiguing them into compliance With his
measure.
He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly.
for opposing with manly hrmness, his invasfo0s on
the rights Of the people.
He has refused, for long time after such disso-
iutions to cause others be elected. whereby the
legislative powers, incapable Of annihilaton, have
returned to the people at large for their exercise
the State remaining. in the meantime exposed to all
the dangers Of invasions from without and con-
WILSON'S within.
He has sndeavored to prevent the population Of
these States: for that purpose obsructng the laws
for the naturalization Of foreignefs refusing 70
pass others to encourage their migration hither and
raising the conditions Of appropriations of
lands.
He has INSTRUCTED the administration Of Justice
by refusing his assent to laws for establishing Judi
cary powers.
He has made judges dependent his will alone
for the tenure o. their onhces and the amount and
payment Of their salaries.
. He has erected q multitude Of new onices, and sen
hither swarms Of officers to harass people and
eat their substance.
He has kept smoug rs in times Of peace, standing
armies, without the consent OF our legislatures
He has affected to render the military Independent
Of and superior to. the civil power