The Penn's Grove record., 1920-10-01
American Principles of Freedom

American Principles of Freedom
All citizens having enjoyed the free
dom of American principles and civil
rights from childhood, many believe
they always existed and never knew
how our ancestors had to fight for
them. Very few have read the con-
stitution of the United States and of
the State Of New Jersey, in which the
principles are imbedded in the funda-
mental laws of the nation.
The Constitution made by George
Washington, Alexander Hamilton,
Benjamin Franklin, and thirty-six
others did not give these liberties.
Thomas Jefferson was in France when
the u. S. Constitution was made and
on his return he pointed out that the
most important bill of personal rights
and liberties had been omitted. The
constitution was made in 1887 and was
adopted by the States the following
year with the understanding that Con-
gress would provide for the first ten
amendments containing the principles
of free speech, free press, freedom
from search and trials by jury should
be adopted. Congress adopted the
first ten amendments December End,
1882.
The first amendment reads as fol-
lows:
Freedom of Conscience, Press and
Speech
Congress shall make no law re-
~specting an establishment of religion
or prohibiting the free exercise there
of; 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
or grievances.
New Jersey Ahead of United States
July End, 1776, the Provincial Con-
gress of New Jersey, at Burlington,
adopted a Constitution, article Is of
which reads as follows:
That no person shall ever within
this colony be deprived of the inesti-
mable privilege of worshipping AL
mighty God in a manne agreeable to
the dictates of his own conscience; nor
under any pretence whatsoever, COM
PEELED to attend any place of Worship
contrary to his own faith and judg-
ment; nor shall any person within this
colony, ever be obliged to pay tithes,
taxes or any other rates, for the pur-
pose of building or repairing any
church or churches, place or places of
worship, or for the maintenance of
any minister or ministry, contrary to
what he believes to be right, or has de-
hberately or voluntarily engaged him
self to perform.
The constitution was revised in 1914.
The above article was re-adopted and
the following added:
Section 5. Every person may freely
speak, write and publish his state
ments on all subjects, being response
bic for the abuse of that right. No law
shall be passed to restrain or abridge
the liberty of speech or of the press.
In all prosecutions or indictments for
libel, the truth may be given in evil
dence to the jury; and if it shall ap-
pear to the jury that the matter
charged as libelous is true, and was
published with good motives and for
justifable ends, the party shall be ac-
quilted; and the jury shall have the
right to determine the law and the
fact.
1t should be noticed that no person
is compelled to attend any place of
worship contrary to his faith and judg-
ment. If one does and what is said
does not suit him, it is his duty to
leave p~eaceably and have his own
church and assembly.
Duty of Civil Authorities
1t is the duty of municipal officials
to uphold the laws of American prin-
of freedom. If unable to do so,
call on the Sheriff. If he needs help
it is his duty to call on the Governor
for the militia.
If American citizens are getting so
white livered that they will not defend
the liberties their forefathers fought
and bled for, they will not have them
in a few years.