Happy 219th Birthday!!!! US Constitution

Today marks the day in 1787 on which the Constitution of the United States of America was signed by the delegates to the convention that had created it. Actually, I should say signed by those who supported it in their final form. There were some, who for reasons they felt were good refused to sign it. Among the complaints was the lack of a bill of rights. This was later corrected by the passing of the 1st 10 Amendments we now call the Bill of Rights.

Ben Franklin prepared a speech for that last day which he had Judge James Wilson give for him. He talked about his concerns that it wasn't perfect. He said: "I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution." This he said was due to the weaknesses that are inherant in any group of men gathered together for such a purpose. But then he went on to say that despite what he perceived as flaws: "It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does." He continued: "Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good."

He is also reported as saying at the end that in viewing the chair that George Washington sat on he often wondered if the carving on its back was a rising or setting sun. "I now see that it is a rising sun."

There are some valid concerns about how faithful we are being to the Constitution these days. I've talked about Judge Napolitano's books on the Constitution & highly recomend them. There are 2 other books I would suggest that will help you to understand what the real meaning of the Constitution is. They are both available in inexpensive paperback editions. The 1st & most important is The Federalist Papers. This book is a collection of the series of articles written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton & John Jay to explain the meaning of the Constitution & to answer the objections of those in New York opposing that state's ratification of the Constitution. The paperback edition that I like is edited by Clinton Rossiter & is published by Penguin Group (USA) Inc. (ISBN: 0451528816). The 2nd is The Anti-Federalist Papers & the Constitutional Convention Debates. The edition I use is Published by Penguin Group (USA) Inc. (ISBN: 0451528840), edited by Ralph Ketcham & is crossed referenced to the edition of The Federalist Papers that I use. This book has a cross-selection of the various articles written to oppose the Constitution as well as a summary of the various debates during the Convention. As I pointed out it is cross referenced to the other edition, making it easy to look at both sides of the debate. They also contain the Declaration of Independence & the Constitution of the United States of America. There are also many inexpensive editions of just the Declaration & Constitution out there.

A few years ago Congress passed a law that requires all schools from grade to college to celebrate Constitution Day (18 Septemebr this year because today is a Sunday.). This law was a result of the unfortunant tendancy in recent years to gloss over the study of it in schools. It is a start. We need to have a better undertanding of why the Constitution came about. If not, we will not stand up for its proper implimentation by Congress, the President, the Courts & the States. We also need to get back to knowing its foundations in natural law.

The other thing needed is for our country to return to being a religious people. John Adams said that this is the only way it could ever function properly. The reason is, a non-religious people would deny the foundation in natural law since that comes from a creator. Without acknowledging a Supreme Being we won't acknowledge the rest. George Washington knew that he had to rely on God to properly exercise his duties as president. That is why he added "So help me God." at the end of the oath when he was 1st sworn in as president. Thomas Jefferson regularly attended religious services on Sundays. When asked why he replied that it was his duty as president to set a good example. The Founding Fathers wanted to prevent an official state church. They never wanted, despite what many people claim today, to remove it from the public discourse. If they did the 1st Amendement wouldn't begin with: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". (Emphasis mine.) Free exercise includes using it as a basis for supporting laws.

Our Founding Fathers, & Mothers for that matter, would be shocked by how some are trying to use them to drive religion from the public discourse. They would be upset by how many other areas of the Constitution we have allowed to be undermined. It is time we returned to our roots. I thank God for the blessings of our Constitution that enables us to: "form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity" (Constitution) so that we could "assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them." (Declaration)

National Archives short history of the writing & ratifying of the Constitution:
http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_history.html

Ben Franklin's speech:

http://www.usconstitution.net/franklin.html