That All Men are Created Equal
76
There have been many instances lately where I have heard people say the Declaration of Independence is not a founding document. How did our populace ever get to this point? I realize that History and Government are no longer taught the way they use to, but we are talking about one of the most important documents in the history of this great nation. Some who want to sound scholarly will say it is only a break from the English government. The Declaration of Independence is so much more than that. To dismiss the Declaration of Independence as a founding document and I hope to expel this preposterous notion in the paragraphs to follow.
The Declaration of Independence not only broke our political ties with Great Britain, but also a statement of political authority, establishing the sovereignty of the people. To deny that the Declaration is not a founding document is to deny the idea that all men are created equal. Those words do not exist in the Constitution. They are exclusive to the Declaration of Independence. Also important to note, the Declaration establishes that government derives its just power from the consent of the governed. James Madison said of the Declaration that it was “the fundamental Act of Union of the States. Abraham Lincoln said of the Declaration, “The assertion that ‘all men are created equal’ was of no practical use in effecting our separation from Great Britain; and it was placed in the Declaration, not for that, but for future use.”
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 forms, 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.
By the time the Second Continental Congress met, fighting had already started between the British and the colonies. Establishing an Army was one of the first actions of the Second Continental Congress. The Second Continental Congress suggested in April of 1776 that the colonies establish governments separate from England. On July 4th that year, the colonies declared their independence. On July 19th the modified draft became “the unanimous declaration of the thirteen United States of America” and was signed by the members of the Second Continental Congress. Our nation was born July 4, 1776. We do not celebrate September 7th, 1787 as the birth of our nation. We did not become the United States of Limbo. We became a nation that day in July of 1776, and the Declaration of Independence established our nation.
These are not debatable theories; these are the facts. The Declaration of Independence is undeniably a Founding Document. To suggest otherwise is to deny our country as it exist today. Many people, because the document mentions God more than once, would suggest that it is not a founding document. We know who these people are. They are those pompous progressives who try to sound so enlightened and scholarly, so full of self-importance. I, for one, take great offense at those who dismiss the founding documents of our great nation. These same people would suggest that I am a harm to our country for my beliefs. Am I the problem, am I a bull-headed conservative that cannot think for his self, because I recognize a founding document of our great nation? I would say anyone that could dismiss our Declaration of Independence could just as easily dismiss our Constitution. So tell me, who is the danger?
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (7)
- Funny (1)
- Awesome (8)
- Beautiful (4)
- Interesting
CommentsLoading...
CMerritt just said it all. I can't add to that. This was another good one Tom. Thumbs up, useful, and awesome..
jim
There exists groups of people who can't abide libery and freedom for all! Monarchies are one of those groups.Certain elements of the military seem to be another.Certainly the world's federal Reserve Banks and corporations that control the countries of the world.
Well put, how it is the Declaration that separated us as a free nation! What bothers the Progressives also is the Conservative understanding of all being created equal so it is to be a government of and by the people, rather than an elite governing a non-elite.
CMerrit, Thanks for coming by, my friend! Would you believe I have had people argue that that line does not mention God?!
Hey Jim, glad you liked this one (i figured you would!).
Thanks as always for coming by and leaving comment.
someonewhoknows, I was going to suggest maybe this was not the best hub to take a stab at corporate America, but I did ask who at the end, didn't I? Thanks for your comment and for coming by.
MsDee, thank you so much for coming by. I appreciate your comments. I have to agree with you, you always make a good point.
Beautiful.
What impresses me I think more than anything about the Declaration of Independence is the age of the Author; Thomas Jefferson was in his twenties when he wrote this, truly inspiring.
I don't know why anyone would suggest this isn't one of our founding documents.
This was absolutely beautiful my friend.
I like the way you write and look at things JT. The Declaration of Independence is THE DOCUMENT on which everything else rests. It is the one document which sent the message that we intended to separate from the King and form our own Union governed by the principles so stated herein and that in doing so we fully intended to institute a plan whereby the government would function at the will of the people and representative of the people. This document speaks the essence of what America is about at its core belief...it is our center as a nation. Thanks for making the point and sharing it with us. WB
Rachel, Thank you so much. I knew you would like this one. Thank you as always for coming by.
Hello Wayne! Thank you for coming by and leaving a comment. You provide some great insight. The way progressives look at it, would suggest we did not become a nation until May 7, 1992 when the Twenty-seventh Amendment was ratified. That would be the date of our Constitution in its final form to date. Ludicrous!!!
Glad you agree and like the hub! Proud to have you on board. USM sends it's greetings as well.
Wasn't 'All Men Are Created Equal' the basis for the amendments that grant so many people the right to vote? What scares me is that we have folks in Congress who regard the Constitution as nothing more than old pieces of paper, and wonder if they regard our Declaration the same way. I'm always tempted to remind those folks of the the words from the Declaration that you quote in your article, together with the Virginia motto 'Sic Semper Tyrannus'. Those words mean something, they speak to our innate desire for freedom, and to our willingness to act to maintain that freedom.
Vote, and communicate with your representative. That is the peoples role in our government. Vote.
Abraham Lincoln said of the Declaration, “The assertion that ‘all men are created equal’ at the point of separation from Great Britain. It does not remain confined to US only. It is applicable to all men of the Globe. Constitution is nothing but a written paper document. Unless it is applied in practical field, it carries no value.
Hey FJ! Thank you for coming by and commenting. Many people have had it too easy and can not recognize tyranny for what it is. I just pray it is not too late when they do recognize it. I think the Declaration and Constitution should be required reading for every citizen, especially students.
H P Roychoudhury, I am not sure exactly what you are trying to say. Which part is what Lincoln said and which part is your words? For the citizens of the United States, the document is the basis for our nations existence. It lends legitimacy to the Constitution. It is the soul of the United States of America. I am afraid that, though Jefferson certainly meant all men everywhere, the document has no jurisdiction anywhere else in the world.
If we (the U.S.) took it upon ourselves, as we have in the past, to free all the oppressed peoples of the world, we are called colonial or imperialistic. The double edged sword of our foreign policy, or the paradox of power, whichever you wish to call it.
Created equal, but it is not the government's responsibility to maintain the equal in riches and personal gains.
Keep on hubbing!
So true, eovery! Thank you for coming by!
Outstanding, well thought out post. I'm also encouraged by the positive comments here, considering the topic could easily draw in those that, well, think otherwise.
The constitution is more of a legal document, while the Declaration expresses the spirit of what this nation is, and what all men should be. It's definitely one of the most significant documents not just in the history of our nation, but in the history of the world.
Here is a question to spark more thought on this subject. Why is it that so many people seem to be against our founding documents, and while they may give lip service to freedom, don't really believe in it, or are super willing to surrender it?
Mike, I am afraid I will never understand why anyone would surrender their freedoms. There are too many who came before us that sacrificed for us to enjoy our freedoms. I do not intend for those sacrifices to be in vain.
Thank you for coming by and leaving the great comment!
jt I cannot help but wonder what the heck are they teaching in schools these days ? Next they will tell us that the Constitution is irrelevant as it was written by white farmers. We have already bumped off God from the equation.
Very well said! I also started in the Corps and later went to the army.
Preach it brother! We are with you! voted up!
Yes itcarrl1164, you are correct to strike to my comment. If I am not mistaken it was said by Abraham Lincoln that all men are equal in regard to the constitution of US. By dint of his foresightedness America has grown up as the champion of the nations but his vision might have a greater implication. The future generation of the great nation should expand his wish to larger area so as to the Globe to bestow upon him the highest honor and honor of dignity befitting to the thought of the great soul.
Hey Tony, Glad you made it by! Hopefully we will never have to face anyone saying our founding documents are irrelevant, though it may be closer than we think.
toomeymd, Thank you for coming by and leaving comment.Semper Fi, Brother!
AmericanRomance, Thank you, my friend! Glad to have you with me, Brother!
H P Roychoudhury, I hope you did not take that the wrong way, it was not a strike at what you said. The U.S.'s standing in this world is a paradox of power. The same things that have made up powerful have also left us vulnerable. It would be great to think that our document could make a difference globally, but that would be in a perfect world. We have, in the past, tried to spread democracy, some countries have wanted it, some have not. It has bitten us in the *ss before.
Once again, I appreciate you stopping by and leaving your comments.
A few years ago the Missouri Information Analysis Center stated that individuals with a preoccupation for documents like the Bill of Rights, and the United States Constitution were likely to be "domestic terrorists." I hope that they have my name on that list. It's horrific that a government organization like our "department of homeland security" could actually be on the lookout for people who care about the founding Father's ideals, and those wonderful documents that they produced for us.
I was VERY PLEASED this week by the decision by the sixth circuit court of appeals that stated that law enforcement now needs a warrant to prevail upon an internet service provider to give them access to our e mails in their servers. I'm still beyond disgusted that anyone in law enforcement would need a court of law to tell them that they were in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the Bill Of Rights.
..wll it's certainly a honor to meet you Sir and a very happy new year to you and yours ..... thank you for this enlightening and educational hub in which you speak of with passion and expertise .......my dad by the way was a veteran of World War II for six years - he was a Canadian soldier and landed on Juno beach during D-Day right behind Tom Hanks - lol - that was Omaha Beach - and a Speilberg movie - lol - but the rest is true so naturally I am proud of all men and women who serve their country .......
jtcarr1164, As you have stated, these are "facts" within you hub, not surmising or ideals, but facts. The language is beautiful..."We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal..." in other words, it should be obvious that all men are created equal. Perfect and true and there is no limit in the world where this is applicable. It is not only true in America, but across the globe. There is no beginning and no end to the validity of this most truthful and beautiful statement. Thank you, jtcarr1164, for reminding me and everyone who reads your writing here, of those words. I'm proud to have landed here right behind epigramman and Tom Hanks! Glad to meet you, sir.
Wesman, I am sure we are both on that list. Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment again.
epigramman, thank you so much for coming by and leaving the kind, encouraging words and comment.
Amy, Thank you so much for coming by. Glad to have you following me and leaving comment. I guess we will be taking these discussions and more to the Housefire Project. I am excited to be on board and get to work with folks like you!
Right, we need to be strict constitutionalists. There is a coup going on right now with the ineligible usurper in the Oval Office.
Need to get him out yesterday.
Boehner is not mush better at understanding that since Obama was born a British subject, there is no way he can be a "natural born citizen" and eligible to hold the office of POTUSA.
vrajavala, thank you for the comment and for stopping by. Hope to hear more from you soon!
![On Principle and Pragmatism Vc: What Does Limited Government Really Mean - On Limited US Government? [100]](http://s2.hubimg.com/u/5736185_50.jpg "On Principle and Pragmatism Vc: What Does Limited Government Really Mean - On Limited US Government? [100]")
CMerritt Level 7 Commenter 17 months ago
Without this document, we would have never prospered as a Nation. At least as a free Nation. I think you are right, what bothers the "progressives" is the fact these men who created this document, revered God. The last sentence of this document, I think speaks volumes.
"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."
Great Hub jt!