~The Declaration of Independence~
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among them are Life, Liberty, & 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.”