The Foundation of Lawful Self-Governance: Inalienable Rights
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights (also rendered as “unalienable” in the final text of the Declaration), that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
These words from the Declaration of Independence (1776) declare the core principle upon which American governance rests: that certain rights are inherent to every living man and woman, bestowed directly by the Creator, and cannot be surrendered, transferred, or taken away by any government, compact, or authority. Governments exist solely to secure these rights—not to grant them—and derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.
Note on Terminology and Alternative Interpretations
The original parchment copy uses “unalienable,” while earlier drafts by Thomas Jefferson and influences like the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776) used “inalienable” or “inherent.” Both terms mean the same: rights that are not alienable (cannot be sold, given away, or revoked).
Some thoughtful individuals have proposed an alternative phonetic or conceptual breakdown of “in-a-lien-a-ble,” interpreting it to emphasize that these rights are not subject to any lien (a legal claim or encumbrance placed upon property or person by another). In this view, the term underscores that no entity—government, corporation, or otherwise—can lawfully impose a lien, debt, or obligation upon these God-given rights without the free and informed consent of the individual.
The San Bernardino county Jural Society respectfully acknowledges and reflects upon this alternative interpretation as a meaningful way to highlight the absolute freedom and protection from encumbrance that inalienable rights afford. While we recognize the standard historical and legal understanding of the term as “not alienable,” we accept that this creative reading serves as a powerful reminder of the sanctity and unencumbered nature of these rights under natural law and common law principles. It aligns with our commitment to protecting the people from any form of unjust claim, presumption, or imposition.
The Source of Inalienable Rights
These rights are not created by man, law, or government—they preexist society and stem from natural law and the laws of Nature’s God. As living souls created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27 KJV: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them”), every person possesses inherent dignity and rights that no human institution can justly abridge or place under lien.
The Bible affirms this foundation through principles of justice, liberty, and respect for life:
- Life — Protected by the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13 KJV), reflecting the sanctity of human life as God’s creation.
- Liberty — Echoed in proclamations of freedom, such as “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” (Leviticus 25:10 KJV, inscribed on the Liberty Bell), and the truth that “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).
- Pursuit of Happiness — Aligned with seeking righteousness, peace, and joy in obedience to moral law, as happiness flows from living in harmony with God’s order.
These rights are eternal, universal, and discoverable through reason, conscience, and divine revelation.
Inalienable Rights in American Common Law Tradition
American common law, inherited from English precedents and refined in the colonies, has historically protected these inalienable rights through:
- Due process and trial by jury — Ensuring no one is deprived of life, liberty, or property without fair judgment.
- Protection against arbitrary power — Requiring an injured party and intent for any valid claim.
- Private property and personal security — Safeguarding the fruits of one’s labor and peaceful enjoyment of life, free from unwarranted liens or encumbrances.
The Northwest Ordinance (1787, reaffirmed 1 Stat. 50) reinforced these protections by promoting education, civil liberties, and orderly governance on the land, ensuring that new territories and states would uphold the republican form where rights are secured.
The San Bernardino county Jural Society – Standing on Inalienable Rights
As the de jure county assembly settled on the land and soil of San Bernardino county, we stand in our proper political status as living men and women on the land and soil jurisdiction of California state. We affirm and defend these inalienable rights as the bedrock of lawful self-governance, embracing both the traditional understanding and the reflective interpretation that they remain forever free from any lien or claim.
Our formal meetings focus on:
- Studying foundational documents that recognize these rights
- Preserving historical knowledge of common law protections
- Upholding the maxim: “Do no harm, cause no loss, and accept no fraud” — a direct expression of respecting others’ inalienable rights
These inalienable rights belong to every living soul—not granted by government, not subject to lien, but secured by it when government acts justly. When any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it.