As the War of Independence began with a declaration of principles, so it ended with a like declaration. At its successful close, the Continental Congress, in an Address to the States, by the pen of James Madison, thus announced the objects for which it had been waged, and thus supplied another definition of the new government:--
“Let it be remembered that it has ever been the pride and boast of America, _that the rights for which she contended were the rights of human nature_. By the blessing of the Author of these rights on the means exerted for their defence, they have prevailed against all opposition, and _form the basis_ of thirteen independent States. No instance has heretofore occurred, nor can any instance be expected hereafter to occur, in which the _unadulterated forms of Republican Government_ can pretend to so fair an opportunity of justifying themselves by their fruits. In this view, the citizens of the United States are responsible for the greatest trust ever confided to a political society.”[124]
Such, also, was the sublime sentiment promulgated by Washington from his camp, in a general order, near the same date, announcing the close of the war, where he declares his “rapture” in the national prospects, and the three-fold happiness for all “who have assisted in protecting _the rights of human nature_.”[125] It was for “the rights of human nature” that our fathers went forth to battle, and these rights are proclaimed to “form the basis of thirteen independent States.” But supreme among these is Equality, including of course the equal right of all to a voice in the Government. And this is the Republic which our fathers, with pride and boast, then gave as an example to mankind.
The same spirit appears in the National Constitution, which, by its preamble, asserts practically similar sentiments:--
“We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, _establish justice_, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Thus was the National Constitution ordained, not to create an oligarchy or aristocracy, not to exclude certain persons from the pale of its privileges, not to organize _inequality of rights_ in any form, but to “establish justice,” which is Equality,--to “insure domestic tranquillity,” which is vain without justice,--to “provide for the common defence,” which is the defence of all,--to “promote the general welfare,” which is the welfare of all,--and to “secure the blessings of liberty” to all the people and their posterity, which is giving to all the complete enjoyment of rights central among which is Equality. Here, then, is another authoritative definition.