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Our Declaration of Independence
Does it need a
touchup?
Each year, on the fourth of July, we celebrate the
document that, for grievous causes, separated these States from the
British Crown. Now, 228 years later, are we still free and
independent? Or is it time to dust off that ancient document and
"renew our vows" of liberty?
Perhaps if Thomas Jefferson and his cohorts were around today,
and being so disposed, they might pen the Declaration in the following
manner.
WHEN in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation. 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 Form, 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. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the patient Sufferance of these States; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the present Federal Government since the War for Southern Independence is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid World. IT has imposed on its once-free citizens a vast and oppressive brueaucracy in the form of welfare, affirmative action programs and taxes that squander our wealth and incite racial strife. IT has established regulatory agencies that stifle the spirit of enterprise. IT has enacted legislation and issued judicial edicts to legitimise moral perversity and persecute religion. IT has assumed control over the education or our children, who are taught little except to hate their ancestors and to despise their own people. IT has, while persuing empire abroad, refused to defend its own people against an epidemic of crime, the invasion of our borders by illegal aliens, and the international agencies that are bit by bit chipping away at the sovereignty of these United States. IT will not tolerate deviation or independence while taking charge of the smallest details of our lives and stripped the States and local communities of their rights and responsibilities. WE must, therefore, acquiesce in the Necessity, which denounces our Separation. WE, therefore, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these States, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United States are, and of Right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the federal government of the United States, and that all political Connection between them and the United States, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which INDEPENDENT STATES may of right do. 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. Ominous words in today's political climate? You be the judge!
This Month in Florida History AUGUST 3
1763 Spain transfers title to Florida to Britain
in exhange for the return of the City of Havana, Cuba, which had been
captured when Spain allied itself with France in the French and Indian
War. Britain controlled Florida from 1763 until 1783, when it again became
a Spanish possession at the end of the American
Revolution.
AUGUST 6
1868 Present State Seal of Florida
authorized.
AUGUST 12 1822
Duval County, Florida's fourth county ,
was created on this date. The county is named for William Pope Duval
(1784-1854) , Territorial governor of Florida from
1822-1834.
AUGUST 14 1888 Because
of a yellow fever epidemic in Jacksonville, many residents of the
area fled by train to Atlanta. Fear that that the epidemic would spread to
Atlanta led city officials to require that every incoming passenger train
be inspected by a doctor. Fortunately, none of the refugees fleeing to
Atlanta ever caught the
disease.
AUGUST 20 1864 The first edition
of the Union, a predecessor of the Florida Times-Union, was
originally published as a "war news"
sheet.
AUGUST 24 1992 Between 4:00
and 5:00 a.m., Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida with winds of 145
mph. Some gusts of 164 to 175 mph were recorded. As it made its way across
the state, the wind velocity dropped to 125 mph, but soon elevated to 145
mph when the storm entered the Gulf of Mexico. Internet Links of Educational interest:
Choose a President, Not a Date http://www.lewrockwell.com/reese/reese98.html Walter E. Williams - Economics 101 http://www.townhall.com/columnists/walterwilliams/ww20040811.shtml Don't Add Amendments, Repeal Them
The League of the South seeks to advance the cultural, social, economic, and political well-being and independence of the Southern people by all honorable means. For information on how you can help restore your freedom and responsible government, and learn the truth about the history of our country, its founders and its documents, contact the League of the South at NEFLOS@net-host.net Get the facts they don't teach you in school See http://coolchange.net/newsletter for access to archived issues of our newsletter. |
National
News
Constitution Party
Candidate Endorsed
The
League of the South has decided to endorse the Constitution Party
and Michael Peroutka for President of the United States federal
government.
Understanding today's media is loathe to
present an alternative to the two biggest political parties, consider the
following about Mr. Peroutka and is campaign:
Under normal circumstances,
we encourage patriotic Southerners to decline to participate in
the empire's national elections. However, we would not now be endorsing a
candidate if it were not for Michael Peroutka's having entered the race.
Michael is an honest Christian Southern patriot who is doing his duty by
challenging the current one-party system of government. In truth, America
in its current sorry and depraved state may not deserve a President like
Michael Peroutka. But perhaps God will have mercy on us, though we don't
deserve it.
By its endorsement of Michael Peroutka
for President, the League does not mean to imply that it has in any way
altered its stance on Southern liberty. Nor does it mean that we have
ceased to encourage patriotic Southerners to withdraw their consent from
the Empire and its institutions. No matter who sits in the Oval Office, we
believe that the South would be better off free and independent. With a
Peroutka presidency, however, we believe that our path toward freedom
would be much easier than it would be with a Bush or Kerry in the White
House.
One thing you will see is that
both the Democratic challenger and the Republican incumbent are
talking mainly about subjects that the Constitution does not authorize the
federal government to do anything about. Subjects like health care,
welfare and education. These are issues the Constitution intended for the
states to handle.
The national government stopped paying any attention to
the Constitution with the election of Abraham Lincoln. That's what the
War Between the States was really all about. The South wanted the constitutional
republic, which strictly limited the powers of the federal government.
The North wanted a centralized national government, which would
itself define the limits of its powers - or, to put it another
way, would have unlimited powers. That was an old argument that had begun
at the Constitutional Convention, and it ended on the field of
Reconstruction.
Judge for yourself. Visit http://www.peroutka2004.com/ and
find out why more and more Americans believe that a return to
Constitutional government is the only real remedy for a broken American
dream.
Find out why this campaign is committed
to a civil government in these United States that acknowledges God,
defends the family, and restores the American Republic to its founding
principles.
Remember that when voting for the "lesser
of two evils", you are still voting for evil.
Thanks to the League of the South and Peroutka
campaign for the inspiration
The Function of the Supreme Court A changing Constitution? In 1857, the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court made this statement regarding that judicial body and the Constitution. "No one, we presume, supposes that any change in public opinion or feeling, ... in the civilized nations of Europe or in this country, should induce the court to give to the words of the Constitution a more liberal construction in their favor than they were intended to bear when the instrument was framed and adopted. Such an argument would be altogether inadmissible in any tribunal called on to interpret it. If any of its provisions are deemed unjust, there is a mode prescribed in the instrument itself by which it may be amended; but while it remains unaltered, it must be construed now as it was understood at the time of its adoption. It is not only the same in words, but the same in meaning, and delegates the same powers to the Government, and reserves and secures the same rights and privileges to the citizen; and as long as it continues to exist in its present form, it speaks not only in the same words, but with the same meaning and intent with which it spoke when it came from the hands of its framers, and was voted on and adopted by the people of the United States. Any other rule of construction would abrogate the judicial character of this court, and make it the mere reflex of the popular opinion or passion of the day. This court was not created by the Constitution for such purposes. Higher and graver trusts have been confided to it, and it must not falter in the path of duty." (emphasis ours) Chief Justice Roger B. Taney - 1857What do you think? Was Justice Taney correct? Take our poll, and give us your
opinion. See what others think.
No shortage of patriotism in Florida
Commenting on the response of Florida men to calls for Confederate service, Governor John
Milton informed General Edward A. Perry on August 3, 1862
that some counties do not have enough men left to have "a Militia Officer,
Judge of Probate, Clerk or Sheriff." More than 15,000 Floridians served
with state or national Confederate
forces. In 1860 the white male population of Florida between
the ages of 15 to 50 was 19,605 indicating that over 75% of
eligible Floridians served to defend their state and
country.
Marriage. What's it all about? Heated discussions are taking place across the States over the right of same sex couples to marry. Many are now even crying to our governments, both federal and state, to define the meaning of the word. But is this a request for the Creator to bless the union of two individuals, or is it a demand for the State to "license" this union in a desire to receive those governental priviledges and immunities so coveted in todays society? In the July 2003 issue of the newsletter, this delima regarding the licensing of Christian marriage was addressed. Go to http://coolchange.net/newsletter/2-7.htm to read the inciteful details.
Back issues now available Many of our readers have requested back issues of the Deo Vindice Newsletter. The editorial staff is happy to announce that they are now available at http://coolchange.net/newsletter. Check them out. Refer a friend. Historical Quiz Commenting on a stragetic move contemplated by a U.S. President prior to a military conflict, a famous Secretary of State rebuked the strategy with these words: "Fraternity is the element of union, war the very element of disunion ". Who was the cabinet member who made this statement? Email your answer to NEFLOS@net-host.net. The first correct answer will win a free Florida State Flag, suitable for outdoor display of your patriotism. Answer to last quiz: In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was a candidate for president of the United States. The population of Florida, both free and slave was 140,424. What was the percentage of eligible voters in the Sunshine State who voted for Mr. Lincoln in that year's presidental race? Answer: Zero. Mr. Lincoln was not on the ballot. All three of Florida's electoral votes went to the Southern Democratic Party's John C. Breckenridge.Congratulations to Joe Cole of Lehigh Acres who had the correct answer of zero. |
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Deo Vindice Newsletter is published by the League of the
South, Northeast Florida Chapter as a public service to the citizens of
Florida's First Coast
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