Before the Declaration of Independence was signed at Philadelphia, New Hampshire Patriots were the first to openly rebel against the British in 1774 and to write their own state constitution in 1775. When the Revolutionary War was won in 1784, the New Hampshire Constitution enshrined the right of citizens to rebel against their government when private interests subvert the public good.

“Government being instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security, of the whole community, and not for the private interest or emolument of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right ought to reform the old, or establish a new government.” - NH Constitution, Article 10

The purpose of Article 10 is to ensure a representative government that serves the whole community, rich and poor alike. Like New Hampshire's founding rebels, citizens of today are called upon to hold their leaders accountable when they fail to meet the proper ends of government.