Question regarding a Quote.....

[Pharaoh]

A friend of mine is writing a paper on the NAU North American union and is looking for a Quote, I think it might have been Jefferson, perhaps Franklin , here is her query below:

Do have the slightest idea where that line is about it being necessary to “overthrow the gov’t if they are not serving the needs of the people?” It might have been Ben Franklin…?



I think it’s in the Constitution somewhere, but when I saw it the other night I didn’t save it. I think I may want it for a conclusion…



Maybe your Democratic Underground people know?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. check the Declaration of Independence

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

[babylonsister]

2. Lincoln came close:

:hi:

http://www.liberty.com/quotes/


# Abraham Lincoln "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can excercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it."

[Pharaoh]

3. I always say..........

DU is the best and fastest political research source on the web!

Thanks, although I'm sure there will be insightful additions to this thread, thanks in advance!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. Declaration of Independence and constituions of NH, KY, TN, and NC

"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is in the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

New Hampshire's constitution guarantees its citizens the right to rebellion, in Article 10 of the constitution's Bill of Rights:

Whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right ought to reform the old, or establish a new government. The doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power, and oppression, is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.

The Kentucky Constitution also guarantees a right of revolution in Section 1 of the Bill of Rights.

All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their peace, safety, happiness and the protection of property. For the advancement of these ends, they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may deem proper.

Article I, §2 of the Tennessee Constitution states: "That government being instituted for the common benefit, the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind."

North Carolina's constitution of November 21, 1789 also contains in its Declaration of Rights, "3d. That Government ought to be instituted for the common benefit, protection and security of the people; and that the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish, and destructive to the good and happiness of mankind."