Given the shockingly low percentage of "democratic revolutions" that actually result in a stable government in the long run, you've really got to hand it to the Founding Fathers. And a special thanks to George Washington, who wisely stepped down after his reluctant second term.
Of course, all that happened well after the Declaration of Independence, following 7 years of an uncertain war against a superior power, and the intervention of France under King Louis XVI.
Bob