Declaration Of Indendence

The Declaration of Independence

While writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson foresaw the potential for immense transformations for the United States. He envisioned a country separate from the dictatorial English rule. "The Declaration embodied many of the ideas that separated the colonies from England and thus began the process of creating a new country out of the fray." (Unknown, p.2) However, creating a new country was no easy task. Many ideas that were presented in the document were considered very radical and facilitated the expansion of a democracy. Within this paper the radical themes of freedom of religion, democracy vs. monarchy, and taxation without representation will be analyzed and discussed.

In a monarchial society, independence is limited, if present at all. The people were ruled by the inherited leader and were forced to follow the ways of their rulers. They were in a sense, slaves to the sovereign; where they were required to participate in the religious conviction of the preferred beliefs. Just imagine what it must feel like to be forced to believe or follow a way of life that is contradictory to your own true way of life. When it is thought about on a personal level, it is no wonder why this "radical" idea was included in this document of freedom. The sole purpose of freedom of religion

was to separate church and state. This was a very radical movement because the combination of church and state was standard for the colonists. Although this was a positive change for the settlers, they had trouble grasping the concept of the separation. Thus this transformation took a very long time to transpire. Thomas Jefferson strongly believed that it is the right of each individual person to decide for them what religion they chose to follow. The following citation is a direct quote from Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence explaining his views on this issue.

"... 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." ... "that to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. " (Jefferson, p.1, 1776)

Thomas Jefferson was very adamant about breaking away from English rule and constructing a government that was "for the people, by the people." "He felt that men should not be subject to the hierarchy that was the foundation for a monarchical government, such as the one that England had used unsuccessfully with the colonists in the new world."(Unknown, p.3) Jefferson noted that all men are created equal and that their sole "creator" granted them "certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This was a nice thought that some believed could have to potential to be true. However, there were many who disagreed with this statement. Thomas Skidmore was one of these non-believers who felt that not everyone was created equal. In his article "Excerpts from The Rights of Man to Property" he stated that Jefferson should have used the word property in place of the pursuit of happiness. He felt that the owning of property ultimately gave that owner more rights and privileges than non-owning citizens. He stated "that man's natural right to life or liberty, is not more sacred or unalienable, than his right to property." He knew that by inheriting property, that ownership gives the title-holder unearned privileges and thus made that person unequal from those whom do not own land or property. He believes that

"if we are created equal--how has he the right to monopolize all, or even undue share of the property of the receding generation? If then, even the rights of liberty and life, are so insecure and precarious, without property--how very essential to their preservation is it, that the "pursuit of happiness"--should be so construed, as to afford title to that, without which, the rights of life and liberty are but an empty name?"

Thomas Skidmore wasn't the only one who refuted Jefferson's belief that all men are created equal. Charles Sumner's "Equal Rights" article states that "Separation implies one thing for a white person and another thing for a colored person; but Equality is where all have the same alike. There can be no substitute for Equality--nothing but the thing itself." David Walker was another who supported the view of Skidmore. In his article "The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions" Walker spoke out for the Seneca Falls women like Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton who where oppressed by the men in their society. Women during this time had little to no rights; much like the slaves. Their rights were taken away the moment that they wed. Walker stated that "he has made her, if married, in the eye