"This was the object of the
Declaration of Independence. Not to find out new principles, or new arguments,
never before thought of, not merely to say things which had never been said
before; but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms
so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the
independent stand we are compelled to take. Neither aiming at originality of
principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous
writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give
to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion."
--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Henry
Lee, 1825
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