Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-09-17


September II is called the birthday
of the Constitution of the United
States, because on that day in the
year 1887 the federal convention which
drew up that great Charter Of Human
Liberty completed its work and ad.
journed.
Before it's adoption, u constitution
was carefully. considered and widely
debated by all of the people. These
discussions continued for more than a
year and afforded an opportunity for
the freest expression of opinion from
every citizen and every social group
in our country. John Fiske, the his
torian. records the following incident
as typical:
"As the weeks went by and the
issue seemed dubious, the work
ingmen of Boston. F.. held a meet
ing at the Green Dragon Tavern. z
and passed resolutions in favor of
The Constitution When Adams
had read the paper, he asked Paul
Revere, How many mechanics
were at the Green Dragon when
More, sir, than the Green Drag
on could hold And where
were the rest. Mr.. Revcre?' In
the streets, sir And how many
were in the streets?s More, sir,
than there are stars in the sky"
Because the people had thus delib-
erately accepted the Constitution, it
could with. literal truth begin:
I'VE the people Of the United
States. do ordain and estab-
lish this Constitution for the.
United States of America"
The Declaration of Independence
had pronounced the Thirteen Amcri-
can Colonies free from foreign control.
but it did not make them a nation.
The Articles Of Confederation created
an alliance between them, but left
them thirteen states under separate
governments. It was the Constitution
that made the American people M
nation, with a fundamental law and a
common purpose.
This purpose as set forth in the
Preamble to the Constitution was.
....to form a more perfect
domestic tranquility, provide for
the common defence, promote the
(, general welfare, and secure the
blessing Of liberty to ourselves
and u p%osterity. 800"
In respect to the fundamental law
the Constitution. in Article VI, says:
''This Constitution and the laws
of the United States which shall
be made in pursuance thereof,
. ..shall be the supreme law Of
the land and the Judges In every
State shall be bound there
=. hv - L.s-.nr .a.H H.r- ,1e"E.-
Our Constitution has won the high
est admiration from lovers OF liberty
in other lands. william e. Gladstone.
the great English statesman. do.
clared;
THE American Constitution 10
70 far Al / can see, the. most
wonderful work ever struck OF at
a-given time by the brain, and
purpose Of man"
The trainers Of our Constitution
ture needs Of . sreat and growing ma.
tton, changes would from time t.
time be required. They provided
therefore, in the Constitution itself n
orderly method by which 1t might b.
amended.
The Constitution Of the units<
States AZ we now have tt,HcongistS o.
= Preamble. aeven Articles and eigh'
teen Amendments. These amend
ments. however, have not altered ii
fundamental conception Of the rela
tionship Of government to freedon
and human happiness nor Its basi
provisions for establishing that Jus
relation. ~ rs
What. then, are the fundamental
principles $of the Constitution ant
what I the vital rights. that cache
us enjoys under It? s5
The most Fundamental of thes
principles 10 the Guarantees OF Civil
Liberty by the Limitation Of tn!
Powers OF Government.
Chief Justice Marshall, the DIR
sre4t interpretsr Of QUE Constitution
This eovssnmsnt b scknowl-
edgedsby all to be one OF sumner.
Ated ppMer1. The principle thAt
II canesoxerciee onty the powers
granted 10 IT.. .f0snoW univers
sally admitted
Again and aShin siK our History Z
In the history .0f Ill n4ttnns. faction
OF the Inomeit I'D power hive Nielfe
10 enact slaW1 the da1lte Tor whic|
Egrew ont u TIRE sHaMf0pS ~ the mem
Int they nave AIN4yask Md q 9 & tn
ts6f9ok SrffnetSfe1 Snf CSnetitufie
which lisMils the powers 81 ag6yGfr
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