For all power given with
trust for the attaining an end being limited by that end, whenever
that end is manifestly neglected or opposed, the trust must
necessarily be forfeited, and the power devolve into the hands of
those that gave it, who may place it anew where they shall think
best for their safety and security. And thus the community perpetually
retains a supreme power of saving themselves from the attempts and
designs of anybody, even of their legislators, whenever they shall
be so foolish or so wicked as to lay and carry on designs against
the liberties and properties of the subject. For no man or society
of men having a power to deliver up their preservation, or
consequently the means of it, to the absolute will and arbitrary
dominion of another, whenever any one shall go about to bring them
into such a slavish condition, they will always have a right to
preserve what they have not a power to part with, and to rid
themselves of those who invade this fundamental, sacred, and
unalterable law of self-preservation for which they entered into
society. And thus the community may be said in this respect to be
always the supreme power, but not as considered under any form of
government, because this power of the people can never take place till
the government be dissolved.
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