Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-04-27
BsHlpttatit Norttmest.
elementary Democracy.
no III.

III was hlleI buc ClOsc VI thc hcNOlu'
ton and when the independence Of the
Colonies had been recognized, that
the real difficulties attending the es-
tablishment OF a true Democracy be-
came most apparent Conflicting in
terests we're to be reconclled, adverse
views conciliated and rival ambitions
barmonized. 1t was plain that the
bond of union created by the Articles
Of Confederation was insufficient to
bind together free and independent
States and to make one great free
people from many people-owing al
legience to a general government and
yet possessing separate independence
The greatest wisdom was required
mutual concession demanded and the
purest patriotism needed to make 8
more perfect union and ''to establish
justice, insure domestic tranquility
provide for the common defense, pro
mote the general welfare and secure
the blessings of liberty" to themselves
and posteritv. The adoption of gen
eral Constitution, fundamental law
was wanted, conterring on the genera
government more power than it pos
sessed under the Articles of Confeder.
alton; and, at the instance of the Col.
onial Congress, measures were adopted
by the several States which resulted in
converting convention in Philadelphia
on the l4th of May, 1887, and on the
l7Sh of September of the same year,
the present Constitution of the, United
States was agreed to. 1t was eventual
ly ratified by all the States, became
the fundamental law of the land, and
on the 3Oth Of April, 1889, George
Washington took the oath of Office as
The first President of the new Republic.
To be certain that this Constitution
should have no doubtful meaning, Ger.
tain amendments were, even before its
complete ratification, made part of it,
and as it now stands represents Amer.
ican Democracy.
The different constructions and in
terpretations given the various pro-
visions o. the Constitution, and ques-
tions of internal policy growing out
of them, have, from time to time,
given rise to the several political par
ties which have contended for suprem-
acy, but its cardinal principles and
fundamental ideas cannot we'll be mis-
understood when the great land. marks
are kept in view.
First and foremost is individual
sovereignty, the absolute repudiatlon
of Capitalization and the preservation
of the sentiment of the Declaration.
Let us read
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain
rights, shall not be construed to deny discharge
others retained by the people.,'
'The rights of people to keep and bear arms shall
aot be infringed.''
"Ihe right Of people to be in their persons,
houses, papers and effects against unreasonable
searches and seizures shall not be violated"
"Congress shall make no law respecting an estab-
shment of religion prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of
the press; or the right of people peaceably to
semble and to petition the government for redress
af grievances"
Throughout the whole instrument
the idea is maintained that power,
sovereignty, pertains primarily to the
people and that governments possess
90 power except such as the people
delegate to it. In every State Consti-
Sutlon the same Idea Is preserved and
maintained. In Ohio the language is:
''This enumeration of rights shall not be construed
TO impair or deny others retained by the people;
and oil powers, not herein delegated, remain with
she people"
SAIL political power is inherent In the people.
Government is instituted for their equal protection
and benefit, and they have the right to alter reform
Or abolish the same whenever they may deem 1t
accessory"
r The government, under the Consti.
sutlon consists of three departments
she Legislative, the Executive and the
Judicial, the powers and duties of each
being we'll defined and circumscribed
and the equality Of the citizen is
everywhere sought to be maintained