Independence of Community and Republic

[Chris]

A review of Pauline Maier's American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence, a treatise on the separation of community and state.

...Prior to the writing, passage (July 4, 1776), and signing (August 2, 1776) of the American Declaration of Independence, there were—as stated above—at the very least 80 separate declarations of independence. These came from New England townships, from Virginia counties, from groups of artisans and militias (especially, it seems, Pennsylvania militias and the New York Mechanics), from Grand Juries, and from the various colonies. The first one, it seems, came from North Carolina (though, of course, it’s worth remembering that John Adams had called for independence as early as 1765), April 12, 1776. Regardless, when the U.S. Congress declared independence, it was, at best, playing catch-up with the localities and communities of America.

...Of all the declarations, though, George Mason’s in Virginia might have been the most abstract, thoughtful, and powerful:

That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

That all power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the people; that magistrates are their trustees and servants and at all times amenable to them.

That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation, or community; of all the various modes and forms of government, that is best which is capable of producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety and is most effectually secured against the danger of maladministration. And that, when any government shall be found inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of the community has an indubitable, inalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter, or abolish it, in such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal.

[RMNIXON]

I like that it mentions private property as being part of Liberty.

The founders could not have predicted the likes of Communism/Socialism in the late 1700's. It they had been aware I suspect property rights protections would have been more specific to the Constitution.