Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/301

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE BATAVIAN REPUBLIC
289

[1]. He congratulated the representatives on the event of the campaign, and in a strain of becoming humility and devotion, called their attention to the striking interposition of Divine Providence in behalf of the arms of France. He recommended a cordial union among themselves, and an oblivion of all former animosities and party dissensions, as the likeliest methods to ensure the prosperity of the country, and concluded with piously supplicating the blessing of Heaven on their counsels and measures.

The provisional representatives then proceeded to frame a declaration of the rights of men and citizens. The natural rights of man were defined to be, equality, liberty, safety, property, and resistance to oppression. Under these heads were severally included, the freedom of the press and of religious worship, the peaceful enjoyment of property legally acquired, and the right of suffrage either personally or by representation. The sovereignty was declared to reside in the entire<references>

  1. See in the Appendix the paper marked B.