Constitution of the Council of Fifty, between circa 11 March and 18 April 1844, Draft
Source Note
Constitution of the Council of Fifty, , Hancock Co., IL, between ca. 11 Mar. and 18 Apr. 1844; in Council of Fifty, “Record,” pp. [146]–[155]; handwriting of William Clayton; CHL.
that no government, which has thus originated, has the disposition and power to grant that protection to the persons and rights of man, viz. life, liberty, possession of property, and pursuit of happiness, which was designed by their creator to all men; but that the cruelty, oppression, bondage, slavery, rapine, bloodshed, murder, carnage, desolation, and all the evils that blast the peace, exaltation, and glory of the universe, exist in consequence of unrighteous rule, and unlawful dominion, by which the pure, the patriotic, the noble, the virtuous, the philanthropic, the righteous and wise servants of God have [p. [148]]