The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1920-04-16
A Brief Survey Of The
Constitution OF The United States

In the early days OF our Country
there were thirteen colonies, each
colony governed under its own charter,
that is, each had a writing stating
under what kind of a government the
people were to live, and what rights
and privileges they were to enjoy.
Some of these charters were sent out
by the King, others were prepared by
the colonists themselves. Since these
charters were not exactly alike the
governments were not exactly allke.
However the King of England was
the head of them all.
The affairs Of the early Americans
prospered until by the year l115 tully
Two million people were in the colon
les. The great majority of these peo-
ple were English. The Declaration OIL
independence tells of the grievances
of the ~colonists. England at this time
was governed by a German King who
did not understand the needs OF ENG
land or of her colonies. Many OF the
politicians who had control OF affairs
in England used their offices for the
purpose of filling their own pockets.
They knew nothing of America ana
thought that they were safe in op-
pressing the far-away colonies. Inc
principal grievance of the colonists
was that they had to pay taxes and
they could say nothing about now me
money should be spent. The English
men in England had the right OF see
ing what became of their money. the
Englishmen in America felt that they
should have this same privilege.
When the Revolutionary War broke
out the central government which had
hound the colonies together disappear
ed and the first thing to be done was
TO organize the thirteen separate
colonies into one strong body. During
1775 and 1875 representatives, from
the thirteen colonies met II discuss
ed different plans for union. In TIT
representatives of the colonies met
and adopted the Articles of Confedera-
ton. This document was a great help
to the colonies during the war but was
not strong enough for times OF peace.
Some Objections to the Articles
of Confederation
There was no executive department,
that is, there was no one like o.
President and his Cabinet to see that
the laws were carried out. There
was only one branch of Congress; all
the powers were united in this one
body. Under the Article of Confedera-
ton Congress could make treaties but
could not enforce them; it could Dor
row money but it could not collect
money to repay the loan; it could de-
clare war but it could not raise
armies; it could order the dong OF a
thing or the making of a law but II
could not enforce the order. In other
words it lacked power to do Things
and the result was a weak govern
ment.
After the war was over thoughtful
men soon realized that there must be
8 change. Representatives from nve
colonies met at Annapolis in 1856. AS
only five colonies were represented
nothing could be done except to call
a meeting in Philadelphia for the fol
lowing year, 1877.
At that time there were no railroads,
telephones or telegraph lines. NJ
of the roads were poor and II T.
many weeks to get word to-au,n tie
colonies and then it - g many more
weeks for them JGct their dele
gates and ser u to Philadelphia
Finally { Se delegates met in
Philadelphis in May, 1877. After some
months OF debate nothing definite had
been, accomplished. There was great
bitterness among the men; each sec
ton seemed to think only of its own
interests. When it looked as if the
convention would be a failure, when
he existence of the nation was
.eatened they turned to God and
.ied His divine help and under His
-idance the present constitution was
ritten.
In September, 1887, the constitution
was finished and sent to the various
colonies to be signed. 1t was under
stood that if nine colonies agreed to
he constitution it should go into
feet. BY the middle of 1888 the re-
red nine states had signed.
here was bitter discussion in most
che colonies as to whether the
Substitution should be adopted, but
-hill knew that some strong government
must be formed or the colonies could
not hold together.
The greatest statesmen of our own
and other lands claim that the Con-
ltion is one of the most remark
documents ever written. When
aliZe hat the country~ho- IN
ED ~from tho @fGI row strip OF Ia.1
- lOuS lut AlldlIlC COdSL W 10 piSoNlb
dze; and when we realize that with
vi this expansion only eighteen addi-
!, tons have been made to the Constitu-
ton in one-hundred and thirty years
we begin to realize what remarkable
wisdom the trainers of the Constitu-
ton had.
The Preamble
The preamble of the Constitution
gives the reasons for establishing the
Constitution
I'VE, the people of the United States
IN Ordey to 4
~ Z IN a more perfect union,
! 12.J Provide for peace at hsme and
abroad,
q 3D. Establish justice,
} a. Secure the blessings of liberty
TO ourselves and our children do or
dain and establish this Constitution Of
America"
The Three Branches of Government
The Legislative, or Law-Making
hoIV. tho EWarufiua Or a V-EnfOrp