Three American Declarations

Three of the most important American political declarations are the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson Davis’s inaugural address, and Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural address.  The first was a declaration of secession from the British empire.  The second was a declaration of secession from the Washington, D.C empire.  The third was a declaration of non-independence, ever, under any circumstances, from the D.C. empire – or else.

The legitimate purpose of government, Jefferson famously wrote ...