Page:Address of the Convention and a New Constitution for Massachusetts.djvu/23



PREAMBLE.

HE end of the intitution, maintenance and adminitration of government, is to ecure the exitence of the body-politic; to protect it and to furnih the individuals who compoe it, with the power of enjoying, in afety and tranquility, their natural rights, and the bleings of life: And whenever thee great objects are not obtained, the people have a right to alter the government, and to take meaures neceary for their afety, properity and happines.

body-politic is formed by a voluntary aociation of individuals: It is a ocial compact, by which the whole people covenants with each citizen, and each citizen with the whole people, that all hall be governed by certain laws for the common good. It is the duty of the people, therefore, in framing a Contitution of Government, to provide for an equitable mode of making laws, as well as for an impartial interpretation, and a faithful execution of them; that every man may, at all times, find his ecurity in them.