"Constitutional Observations"
©My effort to inform interested Americans..
On the Origin and History of the U.S. Constitution and its 28 Principles of Freedom
This Month’s Issue:
These 8 words: "In Order to form a more perfect Union ..." The FF’s goal # 1, Principle # 2.Editor's note: Take time to reread the Preamble (the Founding Father’s [FF’s] Mission statement) to the Constitution (April issue of C.O.). Note and ponder the preciseness of those 52 words. Note and ponder the order in which the FF’s laid out their 6 goals for this new nation before stating their intent, which was to "ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America."
Question # 1:
How difficult was it to get 13 separate states together to "form a more perfect Union?"Answer:
Very! It had never been done before. Some historians compare the formation of America with the freeing of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery by Moses. But today, May 2003, we take it for granted that we have 50 separate states "united" under one government. Historian George Bancroft wrote there had been at least 50 proposals or attempts to unify the colonies, including Franklin’s powerful attempt in 1754. They all failed. Others have tried to unite neighboring nations, but failed. Simon Bolivar tried to unite the Latin American countries – he failed. We see today efforts to unite Europe. Difficult! Is it likely the Arab nations can form a United Arab nation, under a common law - with an elected leader - voluntarily? Not likely! Man’s ego and pride gets in their way when they are asked to subject their own power to that of another power. But that is exactly what the legislative leaders of the 13 separate states did – they agreed to subject some of their powers of their respective states to the power of a higher form of government – a union of their respective states – thus the "United States of America." Washington called it a miracle. It was a miracle. These 13 states were willing to give up power for a greater common purpose.Question # 2:
What were the conditions and major events that allowed the colonists to form this "union of states?"Answer:
It was ironic that the only nation in the world at that time to allow any degree of freedom to its own subjects, Great Britain, would not allow the colonists those same freedoms. Its laws for treason were strong and subjected the FF’s to: 1. Being hanged by the head until unconscious; 2. cut down and revived; 3. disemboweled and beheaded; 4. cut into quarters, each quarter to be boiled in oil; and 5. With the remains of the body then scattered "abroad" so the resting place of the offender would remain forever unnamed, unhonored, and unknown."THE MAJOR EVENTS leading up to the 1776 include: EVENT # 1. America was inhabited by many "tribal nations," nomadic in nature and living off the land, perhaps as many as 2000, tribes not unlike "tribes" in Afghanistan or Iraq today, who would not, or could not agree to "unite" for the common defense of their separate tribes. This condition had prevailed since the breakup of the Mayan civilization about 400 A.D. EVENT # 2. The Renaissance in Europe between 1300 and 1500 AD, a period when Europeans began to awaken from a long period of cultural darkness and religious stagnation when a new spirit of thought and independence developed, helping breakup the religious monopoly that had gripped Europe for a 1000 years. The printing press was invented by Gutenberg in the early 1400s and this opened up new avenues for educational pursuits all across Europe. EVENT # 3: The Reformation. A time when people yearned to be free to worship God according to their own conscience – not a mandated religion supported by the state. The Reformation opened the people’s eyes to a better way of life. They began demanding more accountability and better government from their rulers. These demands led to severe persecutions and began the exodus to America where the new settlers began experimenting with new forms of self-government. EVENT # 4: Those several unique periods between 1607 and 1787. PERIOD 1: The 156 years between 1607, Jamestown, and the signing of the 1763 ‘Treaty of Paris,’ that ended the French-Indian Wars when France ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi River to England. PERIOD 2: Those 13 explosive years between 1763 and 1776 – passage of the Stamp Act – The Boston massacre – the Tea Act – reconciliation attempts with the king – the Boston Tea Party – the Intolerable Acts of 1774 – British attacks on Concord and Lexington – establishment of a Continental Congress – Bunker Hill in 1775 – adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. PERIOD 3: The 11 years between July 4, 1776 and September 17, 1787. Also explosive years – the Revolutionary War – the near collapse of the new union – anarchy always close at hand – English, French and Spanish troops waiting for America to collapse and retake and reoccupy America – days when the military wanted to crown George Washington King for life – and demands for a stronger central government. Washington said the period after the war was worse than the war itself.
Now we better understand WHY the FF’s made the creation of a "a more perfect Union" their first goal – self-preservation; WHY Jefferson stated "that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights" – freedom of religion and thought; WHY Washington prayed so many times to God, Jefferson’s Creator, for help to win their war. Men of lessor stature could not have survived this ordeal. Was the wisdom and fortitude of the FF’s sufficient, or were they fortified and strengthened with Divine support and help? — to bring forth this "more perfect Union" in "Order" to establish a Constitution that today is the symbol of freedom to people all around the world? There is strong evidence they had strong Divine help! It is America’s "more perfect union" and its "constitutional freedoms" that are at the center of today’s major conflicts and wars.
For those interested in obtaining the book, "The Making of America," or the video, "A More Perfect Union," go to www.nccs.net to browse, or call 1-800 388-4512 to order (after 10 a.m. EST) . Thanks to those who have ordered this video and given it to their local school system. Now, become an e-multiplier and forward this newsletter to your e-address list.. The more enlightened people there are on the Constitution, the better we all are. Thank you. Now, until June 2003, and principle # 3. DSC