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"It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage,
and such only,
as he believes to be acceptable to him. This duty
is precedent both in order of time and degree of obligation, to
the
claims of Civil Society. Before any man can be considered as
a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject
of
the Governor of the Universe."
-- James Madison (A Memorial and Remonstrance, 1785)
Reference: Our Sacred
Honor, Bennett (327)
From
The Declaration of Independence
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.
You can trace the founding of our nation and the bedrock principles
upon which it rests in the section of the Declaration of Independence listed above.
The Founders of our nation recognized that each human being is created
by God and infused with a God given integrity, and that certain indesctrutible, irrevocable rights were endowed
on all men in their special status as God's created beings.
Because of man's special status Our Founders plainly stated the obvious,
that the sole reason for the existance of governments is to protect our God given rights ! That goverments are granted
their right of existance and function only by those whom they govern ! And that when a particular government ceases to fulfill
it's proper role or becomes abusive it is the right and duty of the people to either change it or abolish it and establish
a new government !
It seems plain to me from the founder's writings and what I've observed
that the citizens of a particular nation will put up with alot of abuse, suffering, and other forms of malfesance from
their goverment before a large enough percentage of them are willing to rise up and take the actions necessary to
correct it ! After all people who have achieved positions a great power and the wealth as well as the other perks that
come with power aren't going to say "I'm sorry, I've been wrong, I don't deserve all this power and wealth that I have
gained at your expense so I'll step down. Throughout the history of man freedom and change is won only through the risk
of life and limb and the shedding of blood.
BILL OF RIGHTS PREAMBLE
Congress OF THE United States
begun and held at the City of
New-York, on Wednesday the Fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
THE Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a
desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should
be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its
institution
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled,
two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as
Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said
Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.:
ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress,
and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.
The Bill of Rights: The First 10 Amendments to the Constitution as Ratified by the States
December 15, 1791
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging
the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for
a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms
shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but
in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures,
shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly
describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of
a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War
or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without
due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the
State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law,
and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be
preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to
the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by
the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to
the States respectively, or to the people.
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