"Why then sir, why do we longer delay? Why still deliberate? Let this happy day give birth to an American Republic. Let her arise not to devastate and to conquer but to reestablish the reign of peace and law. The eyes of Europe are fixed upon us. She demands of us a living example of freedom that may exhibit a contrast in the felicity of the citizen to the ever-increasing tyranny which desolates her polluted shores. She invites us to prepare an asylum where the unhappy may find solace, and the persecuted repose. If we are not this day wanting in our duty, the names of the American legislators of 1776 will be placed by posterity at the side of all of those whose memory has been and ever will be dear to virtuous men and good citizens."
by:
Richard Henry Lee
(1732-1794) Founding Father
Source:
introduced the resolution to adopt the Declaration of Independence in June of 1776.
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Reader comments about this quote:
That American Republic is dead; long live the Republic. The ever-increasing tyranny which desolates these polluted shores is rampant. The day is not far off when the lovers of freedom, liberty, inalienable rights, the principles that drove most of the founders and individual sovereign self rule will once again raise its head.
 -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    The founders have to be turning over in their graves. Perpetual war, occupiers of foreign nations, inability or unwillingness to control finances, haters of immigrants, both legal and illegal.
     -- A.Jurgensen, Stuart, FL     
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    The present regime has done thing well, and that is to have awakened a sleeping giant.
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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    We're not dead yet!
     -- AStudentPhilosopher, Utah     
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    I don't "hate immigrants" if they are legal but I'm not to crazy about the hoards of illegals from South of the Border who are destroying our country.
     -- jim k, Austin,Tx     
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    AStudentPhilosopher in Utah, are you living in a venue that enforces compelled compliance (seat belt, insurance, etc.) I just read that a Utah legislator, commenting on how raising the speed limit to 80 mph didn't effect how fast anyone drove and how that accidents, injuries and fatalities were static as compared to the lower speed limit. He said the 'ruling masters' (my insertion) there didn't do anything except make illegal drivers, legal. Are you a sovereign individual, heir to the King of the Universe, equal before the laws of nature and of Nature's God that ;you can be made legal or illegal by your servants arbitrary word? Does the venue in which you reside allow or require governmental licenses? A license is "A right given by some competent authority to do an act, which without such authority would be illegal" (Bouvier's Law Dictionary) That competent authority can not be your servant or represent you as it is in toto aloof from you with inherent rights (its rights not being derived from you but, superior to you, making it an organic hegemony that is neither of, by, or for 'We The People'). Where or what is the lawful nexus that eliminated the sovereign's inalienable rights, only to have such rights recognized as inherent in an omnipresent / omnipotent intangible (is that your one and true god?). When was it illegal for you to marry whom you desired, contract with whom you will, to transport your self by personally owned mechanisms, etc.? The answer; when the Republic died and an alien despot usurped the representative's position. I could go on and on but needless to say, the Republic is dead. Freedom. liberty, and inalienable rights are alive and well in the beings of a few and, at first glance, seems to be awakening. The tyranny, despotism, pain, and anguish caused by the statist theocracy infesting this land needs once again removing so that a second birth of an American Republic can come to fruition
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    For Mike in Norwalk, the word is "unalienable" not "inalienable". Even Jefferson was queried regarding the word, but he stuck to "unalienable". Everyone, including POTUS last night, tends to get it wrong.
     -- Susan, Sherman     
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    Yeah Susan, I know, I know who wrote it and what the discussions were to the contrary. If you wish, 'unalienable'. ;-)
     -- MIke, Norwalk     
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    Susan I vote for inalienable. But I will check the utimate authority. Wikepedia.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    "Why do we longer delay? Why still deliberate?"!! Mike, very well said -- you're getting good at this. ;-) Yes, Jefferson wrote 'inalienable' but Adams objected and said that the word is 'unalienable' -- but Jefferson never conceded; however, Adams merely had the word changed at the printer's... ;-) Interesting that both Adams and Jefferson died on July 4th 50 years later! I think Lee, Adams, and Jefferson would agree with Mike's statement above.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    I read this AM that Jefferson's preliminary notes used the spelling "inalienable" but he demurred to "un". Yeah let us move on!
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    hh
     -- Editor, Liberty Quotes     
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    With the awakening, the giant has step into the room. God is in his garden, President Trump is in Power, Backed by the American Patriot. Semper FI always and forever.
     -- Ronw13, 0regon     
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    A delay would be necessary for true national identifiable characteristics differing from that of British empire. A more defining and clearer direction demonstrating the diplomatic qualities of the true revolutionary.


     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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