I do not understand why the Declaration of Independence has always been considered a lesser document than the Constitution (or the Bill of Rights) One declares our rights as “ the people” the others secures them.
First the declaration is addressed to the tyrannical government. Once independence was gained, the constitution and Bill of Rights came into being. I would say each document has the same authority.
I agree
Not to nitpick, but the Articles of Confederation (1777) came in between the Declaration (1776) and the Constitution (1787).
One of the great concepts of the Constitution was to provide a means of amending itself so that they didn’t have to start from scratch every time .... though some of our amendments are part of our problems today .... income tax, senator direct election, etc....