Out of the American Declaration of Independence

I came across this and thought it was interesting enough. Written in July 1776 by a committee of five appointed by the Second Continental Congress and headed by Thomas Jefferson it declared that the colonies would henceforth become independent States (mind you, not an independent state, but states) and listed a number of reasons why they thought the conduct of the King was unjust. The following passage I find particularly interesting (my bold):

We hold these truths to be self-evident, 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 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 and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, 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 sufferance 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 direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.

When government becomes destructive of people's rights, it is "the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it". When a long train of abuses shows a design to reduce people under absolute despotism, it is their right and duty to throw off such government.

You find this as fascinating as I do? I'm pretty sure most American politicians today would rather denounce Jefferson and burn an American flag than read this declaration in full on national TV.

Source.



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