Declaration Of Independence Today Essay -- essays research papers fc

A Latin statement commonly used in the Middle Ages to define the purpose of government reads servitium propter jura, non potestas praeter jura. This succinct statement translates to mean, answer to and for the sake of rights, not a power exercised beyond or foreign of rights. This age-old definition of what gains a government should work toward, coupled with a belief in the importance of universal rights, provided in essence the backrest of the the Statesn Declaration of Independence. However, Thomas Jefferson and the Continental Congress chose a more contemporary elaboration of what was meant by those succinct Latin words when they endeavored to last the union with England. Yet few Americans choose to take the opportunity to see and to a lower placestand those defining principles that the Founding Fathers laid forth in that firstly and on the whole-important document. If contemporary Americans were to simply read the words and follow the principles that fill within Declar ation of Independence, the nation as a whole talent be philosophically aimed in an entirely different directionthe peerless for which it was first intended.The Declaration of Independence was written as a agency of accusing the side King of wrongs before the world as a jury. Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying it was an appeal to the tribunal of the world. (Adler 23) But under which law was the King to be accused? Obviously not English law, the very law they were putting down. The laws of an independent and sovereign nation would in like manner have ill effect. Jefferson instead chose to use a law fanny Locke had first proposed called natural law, which had become the very fuel enflaming the colonies. (Munves 13) These are rights look atd to be the common property of all individuals, regardless of nationality, and are older thence than any government. Therefore, one of the most fundamental misconceptions most Americans have to the highest degree the Declaration of Independen ce pertains to the documents intended audience. Many believe that it was a declaration to England and her King of the colonys intent to be independent. In fact, the Declaration of Independence was written for a universal audience. The colonies were already well beyond the point of explaining themselves to England, and England was well aware of the grievances that were felt. The first dissever of the Declaration affirms thi... ...r. It stands as a definitive work on the capacity of government and its role to the people it serves. In addition, it outlines the true duty all men have to themselves and their country. It is the obligation to pursue a good life, the alimentation of his own individual freedom, and the greatest fulfillment of his potential, happiness.BibliographyAdler, Mortimer J., and William Gorman. The American Testament. New York Praeger, 1975.The recital Channel. 2000. The History Channel. 8 Dec. 2000 Munves, James. Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independe nce The Writing and redaction of the Document that marked the Birth of the UnitedStates of America. New York Charles Scribners Sons, 1976. matter Archives and Records Administration. 18 Jul. 2000. National Archives and Records Administration. 6 Dec. 2000 Office of the secretarial assistant of State. Center for research on Vermont. State of Vermont,Deb Markowitz. 6 Dec. 2000.Wills, Gary. Inventing America Jeffersons Declaration of Independence. Garden CityDoubleday, 1978.