Fundamentals of American democracy

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826). The Declaration of Independence (fragments)

(adopted by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, drafted by Thomas Jefferson).

when, in the course of human events, it becomes neces­sary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation,

We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certaininalienable 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...

He [the King of Britain] has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of im­mediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and, when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommoda­tion of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly for opposing with manly firmness his inva­sions on the rights of the people...

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We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America in General Congress assembled, appealing to the supreme judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and DECLARE, THAT THESE UNITED COLONIES ARE, AND OF RIGHT OUGHT TO BE FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; THAT THEY ARE 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 alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do.

And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutu­ally pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

(The Portable Thomas Jefferson, Penguin Books, 1977, p.235-236; 240-241)

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