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, service of process to and for the sake of rights, not a power exercised beyond or distant 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 mother wit of the the Statesn Declaration of Independence. However, Thomas Jefferson and the Continental Congress chose a more than contemporary elaboration of what was meant by those succinct Latin words when they endeavored to prisonbreak the union with England. Yet few Americans choose to take the opportunity to distinguish and down the stairsstand those defining principles that the Founding Fathers laid forth in that commencement and either-important document. If contemporary Americans were to simply read the words and follow the pri nciples that recline within Declaration of Independence, the nation as a whole cleverness be philosophically aimed in an entirely different directionthe unmatchable for which it was first intended.The Declaration of Independence was written as a direction of accusing the slope 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 addition have ill effect. Jefferson instead chose to use a law john Locke had first proposed called natural law, which had become the very fuel enflaming the colonies. (Munves 13) These are rights intendd to be the common property of all individuals, regardless of nationality, and are older and so than any government. Therefore, one of the most fundamental misconceptions most Americans have more or l ess the Declaration of Independence 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 relegate 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 upkeep 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 memoir Channel. 2000. The History Channel. 8 Dec. 2000 Munves, James. Thomas Jefferson and th e Declaration of Independence The Writing and change of the Document that marked the Birth of the UnitedStates of America. New York Charles Scribners Sons, 1976.theme Archives and Records Administration. 18 Jul. 2000. National Archives and Records Administration. 6 Dec. 2000 Office of the secretary 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.