The Five Parts of The Declaration of Independence undertood as a Panorama

LINK: Structure -- The Votes and Proceedings of the Town of Boston -- The Declaration of Independence

Part of the Declaration In CONGESS, July 4, 1776. A DECLARATION as producing a Verbal Panorama I. Introduction “WHEN in the course of human events, it becomes necessary…that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” The Introduction places the reader at a sublime remove from the events it describes: American Whigs are "one people," Congress's political act is grounded in "the laws of nature," the "separation" is declared to "the world," and is part of "the course of human events." It is not even clear who speaks these words. II. Prologue Statement of Rights “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…to alter their former systems of government.” Rather than specify a particular political dispute, the "we" that enters to speak offers an abstract statement of belief: that " all men are created equal" and enjoy the gift of human rights--"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Coming from the dim origins of human history, these rights are natural and univesal, and therefore can justify the foundation of new goverment. Historically specific "ancient English liberties" are no longer needed to ground their grievances. III. List of Grievances “The history of the present King of Great-Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, …A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.” Although this part of the Declaration finally specifies a particular target, the King of Great Britain, a distant panoramic view is sustained. The list of grievances are abstracted from their specific occasion (where context would mitigate and complicate the 'case' against the King); the particular features of this King--his age, character, position in British government--are submerged in what he is claimed to be: "a Tyrant." IV. Reproach to "our British Bretheren" “Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British Brethren…and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace, friends.” Although many members of Congress had nurtured strong ties with British friends, and all American Whigs had long rejoiced in the support given them by British Whigs in and out of Parliament, members now announce themselves ready to break these ties of affection. Through this Declaration, all Britons become, like all other peoples, "enemies in war, in peace, friends." V. Separation Performed “We, therefore, …do, …solemnly declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES…we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” The word "therefore" tethers the sweeping perspectives of the previous parts of the Declaration--the universal statement of rights, the evil excess of the King's acts, the farewell to British brethren---to the operative legal langauge of the Declaration, the words that perform the separation. The general effect of the panorama is is to make this momentous and hazardous political act appear as an event, one that is a necessary part of "the course of human events."
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