What does Natural Rights in the United States mean?

 

State Constitutions, Selections on Equality and Natural Rights

In the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of its several states clearly state pople have natural unalienable rights to life and liberty. Read on.....

Virginia Constitution, 1776

Section 1. That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

Massachusetts Constitution, 1780

Article I. All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness.

New Hampshire Constitution, 1784

All men are born equally free and independent; therefore, all government of right originates from the people, is founded in consent, and instituted for the general good.

 All men have certain natural, essential, and inherent rights; among which are—the enjoying and defending life and liberty—acquiring, possessing, and protecting property—and in a word, of seeking and obtaining happiness.

Pennsylvania Constitution, 1790

That the general, great, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and unalterably established, we declare—  That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness.

Ohio Constitution, 1802

That the general, great, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized, and forever unalterably established, we declare— That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent, and unalienable rights, amongst which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety;

Natural unalienable rights do not come from government; people are born with them. These words present that fact it is part of being human. Governments are charged with protecting our natural rights from others and from any government.