Declaration of Independence of the United Swampland of Animals

A UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE
UNITED SWAMPLAND OF ANIMALS;

When in the course of natural events it becomes necessary for citizens to
dissolve the political bands which have disconnected them from their current
government and to assume among the powers of earth, the separate and equal
station to which the laws of nature and natures God entitled them, a decent
respect to the opinions of natural kind requires that they should declare the
causes which impel them to altar the current system and implement a new
system of government to represent all of the citizens.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all natural kind are created equal,
that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among
these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights,
governments are instituted among citizens, deriving their just powers from the
consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes
destructive of these ends, it is the right of the citizens to alter it, and to institute
a new government. Laying it's foundation on such principles and organizing it's
powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and
happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should
not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience has
shown, that natural kind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable ,
than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same
object evinces a design to reduce them to control, it is their right, it is their duty,
to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.
Such has been the patient sufferance of this nation. The history of the present
government is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct
object the establishment of complete control over this the United Swampland of
Animals.

We have warned them from time to time of their attempts in their legislation
to extend an unwarranted jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them or our
circumstances of being regulated into Second Class citizens. We have appealed
to their sense of justice and fairness on behalf of all the citizens. We have pleaded
with them to disavow these usurpations and they have rewarded us by ignoring
our correspondence.

We must therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which announces our voice, and
hold them, as we hold the rest of natural kind, enemies of or friends for, the rights
of all the citizens of this nation.

We therefore, the citizens of the United Swampland of Animals, in agreement,
appealing to the supreme judge of natural kind, for the rectitude of our grievances,
do in the name and by the authority of the Constitution of this nation, solemnly
publish and declare the right, to alter the current government. A government
that no longer represents the voice of all it's citizens.

For the support of this declaration we mutually pledge our life, our fortune,
and our sacred honor:

Signed:

Read Rabbit, McKean Mongoose, Clymer Chip Monk,
Rodney Rodent, Morris Moose, Franklin Fox,
Morton Mouse, Ross Rabbit, Rush Raccoon,
Smith Snake, Taylor Turkey, Wilson Wren,
Adams Alligator, Hancock Hare, Gerry Goose,
Paine Porcupine, Bart Bear, Whipple Weasel,
Thornton Owl, Hopkins Honey Bee, Ellery Elk,
Lewis Lizzard, Livingston Leopard, Floyd Falcon,
Morris Mockingbird, Gwinnett Gerbil, Hall Hornet,
Morris Moccasin, Walton Wild Cat, Lee Lynx,
Lee Grasshopper, Braxton Bear, Jefferson Butterfly,
Nelson Deer, Harrison Hawk, Wythe Ant,
Hewes Hound, Hooper Hummingbird, Penn Pelican,
Rutledge Robbin, Lynch Lamb, Middleton Moth,
Heyward Manatee, Clark Coot, Hart Hog,
Stockton Stork, Hopkinson Heron, Witherspoon Wolf,
Sherman Sparrow, Huntington Horse, Williams Beetle,
Wolcott Spider, Carroll Panther, Stone Squirrel,
Chase Chicken, Paca Puma