"Constitutional Observations"
©My effort to inform interested Americans..
On the Origin and History of the U.S. Constitution and its 28 Principles of FreedomMay’s Issue:
America’s Constitutional Convention that began May 17, 1787: in PhiladelphiaA RECOMMENDATION
: For those who would like to watch the 1787 Constitutional Convention unfold right before your eyes: order this 114 minute video titled "A More Perfect Union." It is a powerful teaching tool for self, family and local schools interested in teaching history as it really was. It can be obtained for $20 by calling NCCS at 800-388-4512. This video was produced authentically on-site in Williamsburg, Virginia, in its replicated Constitutional Hall by Brigham Young University for the Bi-Centennial celebration of the Constitution in 1987. The Cherokee Count, Georgia schools purchased this video for its American History classes for all middle and high schools. You can do the same in the county where you live. If not you, Who? You can have an impact on your school programs. Who better to do this then you? If you need ideas on how to accomplish this, e-mail me!May’s two Questions: # 1:
Why did the Founding Fathers feel it essential to call for a Constitutional Convention?# 2:
Who were the driving personalities behind the call for a Constitutional Convention?Answer for #1:
If the Constitution is being plummeted today, as some suggest it is, consider those perilous days faced by the Founding Fathers in 1787. Only 11 years earlier, in 1776, America had declared its independence from Great Britain over ‘taxation without representation (if only they could see our tax burdens today - with representation);’ wrote "the Articles of Confederation" to give some semblance of law and order to guide 13 very independent colonies; had fought a long and deadly Revolutionary War, winning it only with a divine miracle at Yorktown in 1781; but had, by early 1787, reached a point where they were wondering if America would survive, and all their previous efforts would have been in vain.England, France, and Spain were waiting for America to fail so they could return and reclaim everything they had lost during the War. England was in Canada, France was off shore, and Spain was moving up the Mississippi River, each waiting for America’s new experiment in Democracy to fail, and expecting it to fail soon.
Another miracle was now needed if America was to survive. And only a few men had insight and vision enough to see what was happening. The 13 states needed to revise their Articles of Confederation to give the central government more power. Under the Articles the central government had none, or very little. The adoption of any binding legislation required the approval of all 13 states. An impossible requirement!
The 13 states had set themselves up as independent governments, very similar to the ‘independent’ countries that now exist in Central and South America. To pass from one state to another a traveler had to go through customs, pay duties, etc. There was little money to maintain a standing army, or to build and man a navy without begging. Even then there was no way to require payment by the states. The list of issues leading to up to a dissolution of America was long, and getting longer. The Shay rebellion in Massachusetts was symptomatic of those difficult days that were fueling the flames of internal insurrection. A Constitutional Convention was badly needed.
Answer for # 2:
The states realized by as early as 1782 that changes were needed. States were having conflicts over political and trade differences. Washington, Hamilton, Adams, and Franklin were among the leaders that pushed hard for a Constitutional Convention, but only to amend the Articles. In 1786 the states attempted to bring all states to a trade conference, to settle trade and political differences. Only 5 states showed up. By early 1787 Madison was working hard to bring the states together, but any success would require Washington to be present. Washington was key to the success of this planned convention. But Washington was sick, his brother had just died, and it took a personal plea by Madison to get Washington to Philadelphia on May 17, 1787.But delegates from only two states showed up: Pennsylvania, the host state, and Virginia. (Rhode Island never did send a delegation.) This was a fortunate piece of luck. By the time the other states showed up 10 days later, the Virginia delegation had an agenda that would be followed for the next 4 months. Washington was elected chairman of the convention and 56 men debated, argued, stomped their feet, with some walking out. New York had only one delegate sign the new Constitution. Of the 56 original delegates only 38 signed the Constitution. Only 5 delegates at the convention had signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776: George Read of Delaware; Roger Sherman of Connecticut; and Robert Morris, Benjamin Franklin, and James Wilson of Pennsylvania. James Madison, because of his hard work, has become known as the Father of our Constitution. Freedom requires effort to maintain!
Meaningful Quotes: From George Washington’s writings we read: "There exists in the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness...we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained." In his farewell address he said: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports...reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles. It is substantially true, that virtue and morality are a necessary [foundation] of popular government." Thoughts to ponder in these days of tribulations!
When is the right time to get involved? Now! Seek for, and elect good people to govern! Be involved in the process!
"When the wicked rule, the people mourn!" Proverbs 29:2To obtain your own copy of this e-newsletter hit "reply" and say add - please give name. To discontinue the newsletter hit "reply" and type in delete. dsconkey@bellsouth.net