Citizen Advocates for Constitutional Principles

"Constitutional Observations"©

My effort to inform interested Americans..

On the Origin and History of the U.S. Constitution and its 28 Principles of Freedom

September Issue: The 215^th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787

Question # 1: What were the most crucial votes that led to the completion and signing of the Constitution?

Answer: There were several! They include: 1. When the 55 delegates (remember 77 delegates had been invited, only 55 showed up in Philadelphia) voted to bypass their congressional charge of only amending the weak Articles of Confederation (at times called a ‘league of friendship’) and write a new written Constitution that had binding authority to govern a new nation; 2. When they adopted their rules of the convention, which excluded the press, they adopted a rule allowing only one vote for each of the 12 states present (Rhode Island never showed up) on any issue before the convention (rule # 2); 3. Following the seven long weeks of debate over the Great Compromise (the senate would provide each state ‘equal representation’ with two senators each, and the House of Representatives would be elected by popular vote [each state’s population was determined by counting all free persons and three-fifths of the slaves - native Americans were excluded] and it came time for the states to vote on this issue, only nine of the 12 states qualified to vote under rule 2. The final vote on this issue: five states in favor, four states opposed. How important was one vote to America’s future then, or now?

Following this crucial vote the convention quickly moved forward, completing and signing the Constitution on September 17, 1787. Compromise was essential then, as it is any government of the people. The delegates were fully aware of the staggering obstacles facing their new nation. Dallin H. Oaks, an acknowledged constitutional scholar, pointed out in an 1992 article these huge obstacles included: 1. "a very deep division among the leaders of the thirteen states over ceding more power to a national government (they had valid fears); 2. a seemingly irresolvable difference on how to allocate the ingredients of national power between large and small states; 3. the nature of the national executive (some wanted to copy the British parliamentary system, Hamilton favored a monarchy, electing a person for life, with the national government appointing all state governors); and 4. the divisive slavery issue." Slavery could have easily prevented any agreement on other issues. There were 600,000 slaves in 13 states, and slavery was essential in the view of some delegates, and repulsive in the eyes of others.

Other reminders, according to Oaks, of the difficult times this group of convention delegates faced included: 1. "the humiliation of Congress being run out of Philadelphia by an angry mob; 2. the recent challenge of Shay’s rebellion against Massachusetts farm foreclosures; and 3. the frightening prospect that northern (Vermont) and western (Kentucky) states would be drawn back into the orbit of European power." Life never seems to be easy, even today as America come up on the first anniversary of 9/11/01.

Many wonder even today how such a diverse group of 55 men could have come together and fully agree on such an awesome document that has survived nearly intact for 215 years.

What was now left to do was to ratify the new Constitution. Instead of requiring all 13 states to ratify the new Constitution, as would have been required under the old Articles, only nine states needed to ratify to put the new Constitution into action. Remember Rhode Island never sent delegates, and refused to ratify for several years, finally adopting it by only one vote. And to make the new Constitution work New York and Virginia, the two largest states in the new union, were essential. But New York’s Torres opposed the union. Would they adopt? Yes, but it still required a strong sell. Remember John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison took ‘to the road’ to sell the new Constitution with their Federalist Papers. New York’s convention vote: 30 for, 27 against the Constitution..

A Meaningful Quote: Madison said of this time in history: "There never was an assembly of men, charged with a great and arduous trust, who were more pure in their motives, or more exclusively or anxiously devoted to the object committed to them." It is believed by many the United States Constitution was truly established "by the hands of wise men [the Founding Fathers] whom [the Lord] raised up unto this very purpose."

Question # 2: What has been America’s greatest export over the past 215 years?

Answer: The Constitution of the United States of America. This Constitution was the first written constitution in the world. In 1992, 205 years after the signing of the Constitution, every nation in the world except six had adopted written constitutions, and the U. S. Constitution was a model for all of them. While deeply pondering the Constitution a young religious leader recorded, in 1833, in Ohio, these words: "I, the Lord God, made you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the LAW ALSO MAKETH YOU FREE."

Two More Meaningful Quotes: As we ponder where America is today, fighting a new type of war, a war of terrorism, we will be reminded of 9/11/01 many times in the next few weeks. This is intended to bring about a strong renewal of patriotism, as it should. But should we be asked, as we remember 9/11/01, to give up more freedoms for stronger security, ponder these words "Security without Freedom is Slavery." As we renew our patriotism the words of Adlai Stevenson, a two time candidate for the presidency of the United States in the 1950s come to mind. Said he: "What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? ... A patriotism that puts country ahead of self; a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." George Washington called the new Constitution a miracle: Said he "It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the delegates from so many different states (which states you know are also different from each other in their manners, circumstances, and prejudices) should unite in forming a system of national Government, so little liable to well-founded objections."

For those interested in obtaining supportive material, including the video"A More Perfect Union," to better understand the Origin and History of the U. S. Constitution go to www.nccs.net or call 1-800 388-4512. Also, please forward this newsletter to your e-address list. The more enlightened the people the better. Now, until October. DSC