On the Fourth of July, this quote from the original Declaration of Independence should be read aloud at every 250th anniversary celebration – to illustrate how we have drifted back to a situation in which the original reasons for the American Revolution once again apply.
In reference to a tyrant who attempted to control their lives, Thomas Jefferson wrote:
“He 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 endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. He has obstructed the Administration of Justice. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. For protecting them from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States. For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us.”
Rhys Schrock
Durango