Page:Criticism on the Declaration of independence, as a literary document (IA criticismondecla00seld).pdf/17

 the readers of the Declaration, have as vague notions of what is self-evident, as its author had. I would therefore, invite any reader of these pages, to refresh his own mind with such self-evident truths, as in his opinion, will bear a sober statement. if he can find any, out of the Declaration, or in it, that will stand that test, his search will be attended with better success than I am willing to concede to the author of the Declaration himself.

The distinctions between a self-evident truth, and a self-evident proposition, I believe I alluded to a few sentences back. As it is easier to make a statement of a proposition, than of a truth, I will give an example of the former. Black men are more apt to be dark colored than white ones!!! If any of my readers should succeed in making a statement of a self-evident proposition, that is not ludicrous, he will find it to be because it is not self-evident. Truths that are not self-evident are the only ones that increase knowledge.

Leaving for the present the absurdity of stating, what in the same breath, it is conceded no man can avoid knowing, to the consolations of its own company; let us see what is the first famous truth the author of the Declaration affirms to be self-evident. Why! "that all men are created equal!!" If the professor of mathematics in Yale College, should gravely announce to his pupils, the following theorem—"I hold this truth to be self-evident—that all geometrical figures are exactly similar," he would place his reputation for veracity and acumen, in the same position I conceive the author of the Declaration to occupy. And if his pupils should give a gaping credence to his asseverations, I should look also upon them, as entitled to the same degree of respect, which the applauders of these passages in the Declaration deserve.

Would it be disrespectful to inquire of the author, if living, by what authority he made this statement? For how are we to believe him possessed of this extraordinary piece of knowledge, when no other man does or can know it without a special revelation? If the author had prepared our minds for his marvellous statement, by informing us that he held the truth he was about to utter, as revealed, then no doubt, we should all be willing to concede to him, the same measure of respect we invariably pay to a Mormon; but since he entirely neglected so to prepare our minds, we cannot think him entitled to that measure of respect.