New Britain herald., 1923-09-19
THE CONSTITUTION

insure domestic tranquility, pro-
 vide for the common defense,
 promote the general welfare. and
 secure the blessings of liberty to
 ourselves and our posterity, do
 ordain and establish this Consti-
 tuition for the United States of
 America.'
 In these simple and well choser
 words the thirteen states which
 originally formed the alliance that we
 know today as the United States, stat
 cd the reasons for existence of the na-
 ton that we have become. To students
 of the Constitution little more than
 the preamble is necessary. although
 those who would be informed of pro-
 cedure must, of course, take up the
 amendments and scan them.
 There is Il wealth of information in
 the preamble, there is every neces- sary guide to the observance of true Americanism and true patriotism, there is an all-inclusive exposition of our reason for being. We, the people of the United States" all of us, from every section, in mass which has been increased greatly since the fa- nous words were written, "in order to form a more perfect union," in or der to better weld themselves into a more harmonious whole, establish justice insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, pro- mote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do -" We, today as well as in 17S7, may well "do' as the preamble suggests As a group, irrespective of family, city state or section. as a nation we must establish justice" whether it suits our private ends or not. Likewise domestic tranquility" in it's broader sense must be achieved if we would continue to pS tllt po"1l illdt Wt dIO tOudy. Cliques, political, religious, financial, industrial, of capital and of labor, must pool their interests for the com mon good. We must, in group pro- vide for the common defense" not ! necessarily pursue a campaign of ag- ! gression but see to it that we are ade- | quately protected against an aggres- sor. To promote the general welfare" is to further the interests of nation, as nation, not to promote the well fare of a particular group or interest and we must act as judges upon the right and wrong of a civic or financial act when promoting this welfare. In securing "the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to posterity' we must see that the ideal back of the Consti- tuition is carried through and quickly dispose of one who would interfere with the liberty of ourselves or our children by any act whatsoever which threatens to restrict the liberty of the nation although the liberty of the in- dividual must needs be restrained for the liberty of the whole.
 The thirteen states which originally drafted the Constitution are we'll known as a rule. Connecticut stands fifth on the list, reason for pride and additional zeal on the part of citizens hereabouts, as state pride as long as 1t does not conflict with national unity is praiseworthy thing. In order to define how the govern ment should be carried on and by whom the Constitution originally con tained seven articles and 10 amend ments which were later added to as the need for further definition arose. ( At present there are 19 amendments ( in addition to the original document. r As there is not the space available | for the quoting of these amendments | verbatim the Herald will endeavor to give an idea of their purport tor the c benefit of those who are making V study of the Constitution this week | Article 1. section 1, provides that T legislative powers be vested in a Con- g gress which includes the Senate and n House of Representatives. Section g. g article 1. provides for the choosing t the filling of vacancies Q In the lower house Of Congress and Ii the minimum age of such (25) as f vel as to the apportionment of direct a taxes. Section ,. article 1. provides for d Inc selection of Senators and the choosing of Senate officers. Section 4 J Drescribes the time for holding elec- [ ions and provides for the calling of a me Congressional session each year. V ;ectioH5 provides,rules for the hold h ng of Congress and sections and e: Iefne other rules in connection with Il he same. Section defines the powers O 7 Fzagress. sectiss provides for Ii