Published: September 16, 2008 10:21 am            

Constitution a special document

Representatives of 13 states signed the Declaration of Independence 232 years ago.

Nearly 11 years after that, delegates from 12 of those states met in a Constitutional Convention and the eventual result was the document we still live by - The Constitution of the United States. It was submitted to the states for ratification on Sept. 28, 1787 and the last of the original 13 states, Rhode Island, ratified it on May 29, 1790.

The nation has grown dramatically since that time, but the framework of the original document continues to guide us. It is part of our lives each and every day.

It’s not a lengthy document, and easy to read and understand.

The work and thought put into the Constitution by the 55 delegates who convened in Philadelphia that May resulted in the start of what would become the most powerful nation on Earth.

They set up three branches of government - all equal, though a tug-of-war continues today between the branches.

The first 10 Amendments were soon added, limiting the power of government in many areas and granting citizens rights unheard of in large parts of the world. And, while it may not always seem that way, there are limits on government.

Today the United States remains a beacon of freedom and still attracts people from around the world.

Have there been hard times – the Constitution survived a Civil War, a Great Depression, two great World Wars, the Cold War and more.

And challenges remain. They always will.

But the Constitution remains, primarily untouched through all the turmoil. There have been just 17 amendments since the original 10 were ratified, though over 10,000 have been proposed.

By design, amending the constitution is difficult. Two thirds of each side (House and Senate) of Congress must approve a resolution for an amendment (the resolution, by the way, doesn’t require the signature of the president), then it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states within seven years.

Legislatures of two-thirds of the states can also vote to call for a convention to propose amendments, but that has never happened.

There are constant debates today about the Constitution and the people who wrote it. What did they mean about this, about that. Maybe, to use phrase in vogue today, it is what it is.

It is clearly one of the most important documents ever written.

It is a document we should all read, understand and cherish.

The framers of the Constitution, in short, got it right.

Here is the first paragraph of the Constitution and the text of 10 original amendments protecting our freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to keep and bear arms, protection from illegal search and seizure, and others.



We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.



First 10 Amendments to the Constitution (Bill of Rights)

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.



Constitution Week starts on Wednesday and goes through Sept. 23. Local organizers of the Daughters of American Revolution have arranged for displays at the Woodward Public Library and Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum. Please take time to visit them.



Johnny McMahan is managing editor of the Woodward News.

        

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