The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1963-07-19
My "Two-Bits Worth"

/ In my recent communication I stated
| that / would show that in the minds
and intent of our founders of this ma
/ ton the thought was uppermost that
| the governments principel function
would be to develop the resources Of
| the nation for the best interest of all
the citizens
| Now the foundation principles of our
| nation were stated not in our Constitu-
| tion but in the Declaration of Independ-
ence That "all men are created equal
endowed with certain inalienable rights
AMONG WHICH are life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.
Now, as we view the human race we
become convinced that all men are
NOT equal, either physically or men
tally, so we must therefore accept the
fact that the term EQUAL is, and was,
meant to apply to the equality of all
to those INALIENABLE RIGHTS, life
liberty and the pursuit of happiness,
also to other rights not specifically
m mentioned, for with the apparent diff
ferences in physical and mental equal
ity there is no other inference which
can be placed on the founders meaning
in the use of the term EQUAL -.
This is the foundation of our Ameri-
can government, this simple clause
from the Declaration of independence.
The Constitution is not and was not,
as many believe, the foundation, for
1T was founded several years after the
foundation was laid in this simple
statement in the Declaration.
The American Constitution then is
seen in it's true light, as simply
outline in the minds of the trainers
as to the methods by which those
inaIienabIe rights (and others) might
be best secured.
Many debates, arguments and differ
ences of opinion took place during the
framing of the outline (the Constitu- |
tion) but the general intent was plainly |
to be seen, that the purpose of any |
just government" was to properly |
manage the natural resources of the |
territory in the manner best |
to provide EQUALITY in all |
mans rights, and especially those NEIL
toned in the Declaration, for ALL
CITIZENS.
A study Of those debates and pro-
eeedings brings out this fact clearly
md the statement of one of the par
icipants who later became an import
int officer of the government empha-
sizes their intent. His statement-"All
he precious metals and minerals
should forever remain the property of
he federal government to be developed
n the interests of all -"
You ask who made that statement? .
t was the man who became the first
|
ther one of those COMPOUNDED Hamil-
ons that seem to always be sticking
heir blasted noses into public affairs
md upseting, or trying to upset the
pplecarts of the special privilege I
roup.
Careful study of the proceedings of 4
hat first constitutional convention
learly shows the intent of the founders
nd the difficulties they foresaw in
nally accomplishing the aims set forth
the Declaration and the preamble
the Constitution itself which states
ITO form a more perfect union, pro-
de for the common defense, PROMOTE
HE GENERAL WELFARE, and Sc
Ire the blessings of liberty to our
lives and our posterity''.
concede that many of our profess
onal interpreters of these documents
her wilfully or ignorantly fail to
ace this construction upon them, yet
gic and sound reason can admit Of
other construction. - LEVERNE
Missoula.