The five-member executive committee met last week and adopted a resolution calling for New Hampshire to secede.

New Hampshire residents have long thought their state motto had just two options, but the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire has endorsed a third way.

“Recognizing that libertarianism is defined as self-ownership, and recognizing that both our federal and state founding documents make it clear that we have the right of peaceful secession. I’m pleased that the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire has resolved its support,” said Rodger Paxton, vice chairman of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire.


The resolution cites the New Hampshire Constitution that “whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered” the people have the right to establish a new government.

The idea of secession has been kicking around in Libertarian circles for a few years. There is now a separate group called the Foundation for New Hampshire Independence pushing the idea.

James Pindell can be reached at james.pindell@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jamespindell, or subscribe to his Ground Game newsletter on politics: www.bostonglobe.com/groundgame.