The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-09-16
Preamble to Constitution Is
Sublime and COmprehen.
Sive Statement - Govern.
ment Had But a Vague
Science Before Constitution
Was Written

Was Written
Editors Note: An analysis Of
the purpose and rlan of the Con-
sttution is contained in this ar
,icle. the fifth Of series Of IL
stories in keeping with Constitu-
ton Week Tomorrow: The
CONSTITUTIONS Nesting Of Powers.
BY HARRY ATWOOD
President Constitution Anniversary
Association
! For the successful accomplish
ment of a desired project, it is
important to know AS nearly as pos
sible what is TO be achieved. History
records no finer illustration Of 4
clear concept of the aims sought and
Of the results desired from an un-
dertaking than this remarkable pro
nouncemeNt Of the purposes set forth
in the preamble to the Constitution
of the United States.
I'VE the people Of the United
States, in order to form more per-
feet Union, establish justice, insure
common defense promote the general
liberty to ourselves and our poster
ity, do ordain and establish this Con-
stitution for the United States of
America
This preamble is a sublime. Il com
prehcnsive, and an accurate state
ment OF the purposes of government.
Every proper government activity can
b" classified under one or more of
the six great PURPOSES set forth in it.
Its Deeper Meaning
For some unaccOuntable reason
there has been disposition not to
attach to the preamble the signifi-
canoe which it possesses. It is high
ly important, because the Constitu-
ton was dedicated to the six pur-
poses set forth in the preamble and
to no other purposes.
1t is proper to assume that, in the
making or interpreting or enforcing
Of laws. public officials should ask
themselves: Is this law being made
or interpreted o. enforced in accord
ance with one or more Of the six pur-
poses set forth in the preamble =?
Such test adhered to would greatly
improve the functioning Of our gov
eminent.
Prior to the writing of this pre-
brief. clear comprehensive statement
though one may have access to all
that was said Nv Socrates, Plato.
Aristotle, Confucius, or Montesquieu
and all that was ever said by any in
dividual or group Of individuals in
any country. including our own. be-
fore that time.
Influence for Peace
This fact is striking illustration
Of what 4 vague science government
had been before the Constitution was
written. Not even q good statement
Of the purposes of government had
peen made, to say nothing Of pro-
yiding a good plan for setting up a
government.
Some very interesting questions
for contemplation are suggested in
this connection.
TO what extent is the dedication
Of our government to the purpose
set forth in the preamble responsible
for our having become a peace
minded nation?
Would it tend to make other ma
tions peace-minded if they were to
dedicate their government to the
purposes set forth in the preamble :?
The Plan
Preamble
IA statement of purposes.
Article
2-Provisions for setting up leg
islative department and vest
ing it with functioning powers
and restraints.
3-Restraints upon the national
government.
i-ReSt hints unOn the states
Article II
5-Providing for setting up an
executive department and vest
ing it with functioninr powers
and restraints.
Article iii
G-Provision for setting up a
judicial department and vest
ing it with functioning powers
and restraints.
7-Definition Of treason and pro-
vision for punishment there
for.
Article ~
s-Relation Of the states to each
other.
9-Relation of the federal gov.
+. eminent to states and terri.
tories.
Article Y
lO-PfOvlSlOn Tor amending the
Constitution whenever neces.
Sary.
Article vi
/ ll-Provision for national debts.
\ 12-Provision for the supremacy
Of the federal Constitution
national laws. and treaties.
! 13-Provision to pledge all ma
! tional and state officers to
4 uphold the Constitution Of
the United States.
14-Ban on religious test as quail.
fication to public office.
! Articles VII
l5-Method for ratification.
Planned Mechanism
This is brief analysis Of tho
plan of the Constitution and 3
skeleton outline of it's contents.
One can readily see that it is MOI