-♦> Independence 



citizen for the redress of grievances, for the remedy of injuries, and 

 for the punishment of crime. 



Our numerous and well-attended schools attest our efforts and 

 our desire for the improvement of our children. 



Our churches for the worship of our Creator, everywhere to be 

 seen, bear testimony to our acknowledgment of His providence. 



The native African, bowing down with us before the altar of 

 the living God, declares that from us, feeble as we are, the light 

 of Christianity has gone forth, while upon that curse of curses, the 

 slave trade, a deadly blight has fallen, as far as our influence 

 extends. 



Therefore, in the name of humanity, and virtue, and religion, 

 in the name of the great God, our common Creator, we appeal to 

 the nations of Christendom, and earnestly and respectfully ask of 

 them that they will regard us with the sympathy and friendly 

 considerations to which the peculiarities of our condition entitle us, 

 and to extend to us that comity which marks the friendly inter- 

 course of civilised and independent communities. 



CONSTITUTION 



Article I. Declaration of Rights 



The end of the institution, maintenance, and administration 

 of government is to secure the existence of the body politic ; 

 to protect it, and to furnish the individuals who compose it 

 with the power of enjoying in safety and tranquillity their 

 natural rights, and the blessings of life ; and whenever these 

 great objects are not obtained, the people have a right to 

 alter the government, and to take measures necessary for their 

 safety, prosperity, and happiness. 



Therefore we, the people of the commonwealth of Liberia 

 in Africa, acknowledging with devout gratitude the goodness 

 of God in granting to us the blessings of the Christian 

 religion, and political, religious, and civil liberty, do, in order 

 to secure these blessings for ourselves and our posterity, 



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