“In the formation of such a government, it is not only the right, but the indispensable duty of every citizen to examine the principles of it, to compare them with the principles of other governments, with a constant eye to our particular situation and circumstances, and thus endeavor to foresee the future operations of our own system, and its effects upon human happiness. Convinced of this truth, I have no apology to offer for the following remarks, but an earnest desire to be useful to my country.”
![“Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/042/thomas-jefferson-43_ends_whenever-any-form-of-government-becomes_2626939.jpg)
![“[T]he Christian religion, in its purity, is the basis, or rather the source of all genuine freedom in government. . . . and I am persuaded that no civil government of a republican form can exist and be durable in which the principles of that religion have not a controlling influence.” quote by Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d3/noah-webster-8440_bases_t-he-christian-religion-in-its-purity-is_381346.jpg)
