declaration-of-independence

Foundations of a Free Society

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Every year, I renew my subscription to American History and every year they send me a small, softbound book with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution with Amendments in it. This year, I decided to read it, starting with the introduction and commentary. It explains some of the thinking the Founders had, some of their motivations.

From the book:

Thus, the cardinal moral truths are these:

... that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by the 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.