All the forms of civil polity have been tried by mankind, except one, and that seems to have been reserved in Providence to be realized in America.
The right of conscience and private judgment is unalienable, and it is truly the interest of all mankind to unite themselves into one body for the liberty, free exercise, and unmolested enjoyment of this right.
The greater part of the governments on earth may be termed monarchical aristocracies, or hereditary dominions independent of the people.
But after the spirit of conquest had changed the first governments, all the succeeding ones have, in general, proved one continued series of injustice, which has reigned in all countries for almost four thousand years.
But Connecticut and Rhode Island have originally realized the most perfect polity as to a legislature.
Let the grand errand into America never be forgotten.
