Based on your reading of the entire Declaration of Independence, in what circumstances do citizens (really the “people”) take the action the duty requires of them?

Question #1: In the Declaration of Independence, a single “duty” is imposed on the people who are declaring themselves to be independent. We are not accustomed today to talk about the duties of citizens—we usually speak only about their “rights.” That citizens might have “duties” as well as rights is an extremely unusual sentiment to express.
What is this singular duty? Based on your reading of the entire Declaration of Independence, in what circumstances do citizens (really the “people”) take the action the duty requires of them?
If justice is defined by the political regime under which people live (a common view today), how can taking the action required by the “duty” listed in the Declaration possibly be considered “just”?

Question #2: In the second half of Lincoln’s Lyceum Address there is the following passage:
“Another reason which once was; but which, to the same extent, is now no more, has done much in maintaining our institutions thus far. I mean the powerful influence which the interesting scenes of the revolution had upon the passions of the people as distinguished from their judgment. By this influence, the jealousy, envy, and avarice, incident to our nature, and so common to a state of peace, prosperity, and conscious strength, were, for the time, in a great measure smothered and rendered inactive; while the deep-rooted principles of hate, and the powerful motive of revenge, instead of being turned against each other, were directed exclusively against the British nation. And thus, from the force of circumstances, the basest principles of our nature, were either made to lie dormant, or to become the active agents in the advancement of the noblest cause–that of establishing and maintaining civil and religious liberty.”
“But this state of feeling must fade, is fading, has faded, with the circumstances that produced it.”
According to the rest of the Lyceum Address, when these powerful passions are not directed outwardly (as they were at the British during the Revolutionary War, or at the Soviet Union during the Cold War), what can happen to a country like the United States? What will be the condition of the country, and who will take advantage of this situation?

Question #3( 5-7 sentences): Discuss something
that has sparked your interest in the readings.

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