But the world has
never yet seen a true republic, though it has for hundreds of years been
taking steps towards one.
The original principles of just governments are five, all of which were
acknowledged by the United States at its foundation. These principles
are:
_First._ The natural right of each individual to self-government.
_Second._ The exact equality of these rights.
_Third._ That these rights when not delegated by the individual, are
retained by the individual.
_Fourth._ That no person can exercise these rights of others without
delegated authority.
_Fifth._ That the non-use of these rights does not destroy them.
These five underlying principles are the admitted basis of all
governmental rights, and the old revolutionists acted upon them. They
were men of middle life; they were under an old and established form of
government to which they had not delegated authority, and during all
these years they had made no use of their natural, equal rights. When
they chose to assume the exercise of these rights, they at once took
them up.
The women of that day were no less in earnest than were the men. Mercy
Otis Warren, sister of that James Otis whose fiery words did so much
towards rousing the colonies, was herself no less in earnest, had no
less influence than her brother.
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