The chronicle-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1920-1941, 1940-09-13
CONSTITUTION a

"
Nsr Tuesday. September Il. 1850, marks Tue ono
hundred and nfty-shird anniversary Of ths compile
ton and signing q the Consultation Of the United
states b. the delegates which had heen selected b. the
thirteen original states Of she Union. and which
delegates met IN undergraduates Hall Ia Pniiadelpnla,
on Mas Is, 1871. the Constitutional Convention waa
composed Of prominent men Of that day. III fact.
one historian says that II Vas b. far the most dis
ungalkhcd assembly shich America had ever seen.
and With q few exceptions Included ali the great
characters Of the country who enjoyed anything ike
national regulations. seven og them had agned thc
Declaration Of Independence
The convention had been authorized b. an act
Of Congress IN February. i7g7. Il waA composed Of
f~ifty-three delegates selected b. tia states. more than
hali Of whom we're graduates Of great universities N
the United states and Great Britain. But Il Is remark
able 20 state. that the most famous Of them were
George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. neither
Of whom had university training. Franklin was IN
las etghty-first year. and the oldest member Of the
Convention. George Washington was unanimously
elected president Of The Convention. as he wRz after
ward elected Inc first president Of she new Repablic,
Sessions Of the Convention were held behind
closed doork. and there was much difference Of opln-
ton a. 10 the various matters contained In the historic
document james Madison Of Virginia was said TO
have been ~nae father Of The Constitution" though
A Va Mltt+Su % 0Vf&fA&M AaotA& O FtniAstifatAA~s
It was not until September IT. 1871. nearly four
months after the first meeting and organization Of
the Constitutional Convention. that Il was finally
signed BY a majority Of tine delegates and submitted
70 Congress for it, adoption II was not ratified.
however. BY the required number OF states 70 make
II the aw Of the hand. until September -. i7ss-
This Is briefly the history Of the adoption Of our
basic law The preamble to tho Constitution, as
stated b. the convention. Is as follows. we, the people
Of the United States. In order 70 form a more perfect
Union. establish justice. insure domestic tranquility.
provide for the common defense. prcsss@te the general
welfare. and secure The blessings Of liberty to our-
selves and our ~posteftty. do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States Of America
Justice Tranquility Welfare Liberty |
Precious words. cherished ideals fixed inaclihly upon
the course Of American life and progress IN a world
where such words ara being trampied our Constitution
slOws with an eser-braehsening light To keep THIS
hight aglow for ali men Is the heritage OF America.
TO the task our service IN behalf Of this American
pledged
The Constitution originally contained seven arti-
sAm. bat as the country grew and government became
more complex. other articles. eighteen In number, tn
eluding the bin of Rights were added b. amend
nent. until today It stands Is the greatest instrument
81 ali times. It should be read at intervals "a every
school In the land. and those adults who are not
familiar with same should read II occasionally to
learn something Of its greatness and enc Of the reasons
why this country mas preserved. through all these
years, those grand principles Of liberty and justice
that make the United States stand cut high above ali
countries Of the earth