The Declaration of Independence

230 years ago wise men gathered to formally declare Independence from a tyrannical government. I think it is appropriate for us all to take a moment and remember the foundation on which this government was founded. It is our duty to uphold these mens' vision. Our duty as men , as patriots, as Americans. Take a few minutes and read this document which I have pasted below. What is our duty now ? Do we have the will to hold true to these self evident facts? Do we ? Do I ? Do you?

Alias Jones

The Declaration
of Independence

Action of Second Continental Congress, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of
the thirteen united States of America



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 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. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid World.

www.ushistory.org...

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[edit on 16/1/2006 by Mirthful Me]

[edit on 16-1-2006 by Alias Jones]

[edit on 16/1/2006 by Mirthful Me]

Another read well worth your time is President George Washington's farewell address. Again, below, for your review.

President George Washington's
Farewell Address

September 17, 1796

Friends and Fellow Citizens: The period for a new election of a citizen, to administer the executive government of the United States, being not far distant, and the time actually arrived, when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.

I rejoice that the state of your concerns, external as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination incompatible with the sentiment of duty or propriety; and am persuaded, whatever partiality may be retained for my services, that, in the present circumstances of our country, you will not disapprove my determination to retire.

usinfo.state.gov...

[edit on 16-1-2006 by Alias Jones]

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[edit on 16/1/2006 by Mirthful Me]

Its good that people be reminded of this, it seems everyone has forgot about it.

this needed a bump..

and here it is... to those in the 2nd grade, JH & HS student that have not read, or studied it enough...here you go.