May the Declaration of Independence
be to the world, what I believe it will be
(to some parts sooner,
to others later, but finally to all)
the signal of arousing men to burst
the chains under which monkish ignorance and
superstition had persuaded them
to bind themselves, and to assume
the blessings and security of self-government.
That form which we have substituted,
restores the free right to the unbounded
exercise of reason and freedom of opinion.
All eyes are opened, or opening,
to the rights of man.
-- Thomas Jefferson(1743-1826).
US Founding Father, 3rd US President
drafted the Declaration of Independence.