Observations on the Declaration of Rights

The first three articles comprehend in general terms the whole of a Declaration of Rights, all the succeeding articles either originate from them or follow as elucidations.  The fourth, fifth, and sixth define more particularly what is only generally expressed in the first, second, and third. 

The seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh articles are declaratory of principles upon which laws shall be constructed, conformable to rights already declared.  But it is questioned by some very good people in France, as well as in other countries, whether the tenth article sufficiently guarantees the right it is intended to accord with; besides which it takes off from the divine dignity of religion, and weakens its operative force upon the mind, to make it a subject of human laws.  It then presents itself to man like light intercepted by a cloudy medium, in which the source of it is obscured from his [begin page 142] sight, and he sees nothing to reverence in the dusky ray. 

The remaining articles, beginning with the twelfth, are substantially contained in the principles of the preceding articles; but in the particular situation in which France then was, having to undo what was wrong, as well as to set up what was right, it was proper to be more particular than what in another condition of things would be necessary.
 
While the Declaration of Rights was before the National Assembly some of its members remarked that if a declaration of rights were published it should be accompanied by a Declaration of Duties.  The observation discovered a mind [begin page 143] that reflected, and it only erred by not reflecting far enough.  A Declaration of Rights is, by reciprocity, a Declaration of Duties also.  Whatever is my right as a man is also the right of another; and it becomes my duty to guarantee as well as to possess. 

The three first articles are the base of Liberty, as well individual as national; nor can any country be called free whose government does not take its beginning from the principles they contain, and continue to preserve them pure; and the whole of the Declaration of Rights is of more value to the world, and will do more good, than all the laws and statutes that have yet been promulgated. 

In the declaratory exordium which prefaces the Declaration of Rights we see the solemn and majestic spectacle of a nation opening its commission, under the auspices of its Creator, to establish a Government, a scene so new, and so transcendantly unequalled by anything in the European world, that the name of a Revolution is diminutive of its character, and it rises into a Regeneration of man.

What are the present Governments of Europe but a scene of iniquity and oppression?  What is that of England?  Do not its own in- [begin page 144] habitants say it is a market where every man has his price, and where corruption is common traffic at the expense of a deluded people?  No wonder, then, that the French Revolution is traduced.

Had it confined itself merely to the destruction of flagrant despotism perhaps Mr. Burke and some others had been silent.  Their cry now is, "It has gone too far"- that is, it has gone too far for them.  It stares corruption in the face, and the venal tribe are all alarmed.  Their fear discovers itself in their outrage, and they are but publishing the groans of a wounded vice.

But from such opposition the French Revolution, instead of suffering, receives an homage.  The more it is struck the more sparks it will emit; and the fear is it will not be struck enough.  It has nothing to dread from attacks; truth has given it an establishment, and time will record it with a name as lasting as his own. 

Having now traced the progress of the French Revolution through most of its principal stages, from its commencement to the taking of the Bastille, and its establishment by the Declaration of Rights, I will close the subject with the energetic apostrophe of M. de la Fayette -  "May [begin page 145] this great monument, raised to Liberty, serve as a lesson to the oppressor, and an example to the oppressed!"