"When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political connections that have bound them to another and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal status to which the laws of nature and nature's God entitle them, a decent respect for the opinions of humanity dictates that they should declare the causes which compel them to separate." These lines from the Declaration of Independence exemplify the use of _______________. (Note: The blank is meant for the concept the original text is asking about, such as logos, pathos, ethos, or thesis. However, given the context, the blank could be filled with 'ethos,' as the passage is appealing to ethical reasoning and the principles of justice and legitimacy. If the focus is on logical argumentation, then 'logos' would be appropriate. 'Pathos' would typically indicate an appeal to emotion, which is not the predominant element in this passage.)

The lines from the Declaration of Independence exemplify the use of "ethos." Ethos is a rhetorical device that establishes credibility and authority of the speaker and appeals to the ethical or moral beliefs of the audience. This passage addresses the concept of natural law and the rights of a people to form a separate and equal status, which connects to the morality and ethics of self-determination and governance.

Extra: In the context of rhetoric, ethos is one of Aristotle's three modes of persuasion, along with logos and pathos. Logos appeals to logic and reason, using facts, figures, and rational arguments to persuade the audience. Pathos appeals to the emotions, attempting to elicit feelings that prompt action. Ethos, on the other hand, establishes the speaker's or writer's credibility, morality, and ethical character.

When the authors of the Declaration of Independence wrote about "the laws of nature and nature's God," they were grounding their argument in a philosophical and ethical framework that was widely accepted by many at the time. This reference to natural law implies that there are certain rights and principles inherent to human existence, which any legitimate political authority must not violate. By invoking ethical concepts shared by the audience (in this case, the British crown and the wider world), they sought to justify the American colonies' decision to declare independence. This use of ethos supports their position as morally and ethically sound, thus persuading the readers of the righteousness of their cause.