Independence

A state of perfect irresponsibility to any superior. The United States are free and independent of all earthly power. Independence may be divided into political and natural independence. By the former is to be understood that we have contracted no ties except those which flow from the three great natural rights of safety, liberty, and property. The latter consists in the power of being able to enjoy a permanent well-being, whatever may be the disposition of those from whom we call ourselves independent, In that sense a nation may be independent with regard to most people, but not independent of the whole world. See Declaration of Independence. Questions as to the power of municipalities to appropriate money for the celebration of the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence have arisen. It has been held that no such power exists; Hodges v. City of Buffalo, 2 Denio (N. Y.) 110; Hood v. Lynn, 1 Allen (Mass.) 103.