It would seem wise, when making any contention such as that offered in the title, to establish a basis. So, with that in mind, I respectfully submit the following:
First, it is submitted that the whole statement of purpose for the United States government can be found in the preamble to the Constitution:
"We the People of the United States, in Order 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, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Secondly, Instead of offering a general elaboration, in order to prove the contention. Let's deconstruct the paragraph of the preamble, and then reconstruct it piece by piece:
Thirdly, in order to avoid any misconstruction, the Merriam-Webster dictionary is employed. That is Webster as in Noah Webster, the one considered by many, as an American hero in our early history.
'We the People of the United States'; This one is somewhat self-explanatory, isn't it? In fact, it can reasonably be stated that 'we the people', is inclusive of all, right? Applying to EVERY citizen in the U.S. And not just a certain select few.
'in Order to form a more perfect Union'; Inarguably, a declaration indicative of the ideal of unity. With perfection being the desired goal of the Framers.
‘establish Justice’;
establish, es·tab·lish: 1 : to institute (as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement. 3 a : to make firm or stable b : to introduce and cause to grow and multiply. 4 a : to bring into existence. 6 : to make (a church) a national or state institution. 7 : to put beyond doubt : PROVE.
Justice, jus·tice: 1 a : the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments b : JUDGE c : the administration of law; especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity.2 a : the quality of being just, impartial, or fair b (1) : the principle or ideal of just dealing or right action (2) : conformity to this principle or ideal : RIGHTEOUSNESS c : the quality of conforming to law.3 : conformity to truth, fact, or reason : CORRECTNESS.
Interesting, indeed. Especially, the words permanently, firm and stable in reference to establish. And even more so, by the use of the word impartial in the definition of the word justice. It reminded me of a statement made by the man called the ‘Father of the American Revolution’ – Samuel Adams;
“"Just and true liberty, equal and impartial liberty," in matters spiritual and temporal, is a thing that all men are clearly entitled to by the eternal and immutable laws of God and nature, [418] as well as by the law of nations and all well-grounded municipal laws, which must have their foundation in the former.” - The Rights of the Colonists, November 20, 1772
Now, just what do you suppose Samuel meant by that? He was not writing about a select class of citizens, obviously. For he specifically used the term ‘all men are clearly entitled’. Which directly supports the position of equality for every citizen.
‘insure domestic Tranquility’;
Another statement that seems self-explanatory. Domestic would indicate within the borders of our country. And, what we all wouldn’t give for a little Tranquility! (And not the Tranquility induced by the ingestion of mood or mind-altering substances. At least, it doesn’t seem reasonable to assume that is what the Framers intentions were for! And, based upon their knowledge of history, (as indicated in the Federalist Papers), they obviously were aware of drugs and most certainly alcohol).
‘provide for the common defence’;
Fully explained in the body of the Constitution – Article I, Section 8.
‘promote the general Welfare’;
Ding, ding, ding! There it is folks. We have a winner! There can be NO mistaking the meaning of those words. The Framers were not talking about private, or corporal, or even major, no! They were taking it right to the top – the general! Let’s see how Mr. Webster defines general;
general, gen·er·al: 1 : involving, applicable to, or affecting the whole2 : involving, relating to, or applicable to every member of a class, kind, or group <the general equation of a straight line>3 : not confined by specialization or careful limitation4 : belonging to the common nature of a group of like individuals : GENERIC5 a : applicable to or characteristic of the majority of individuals involved : PREVALENT b : concerned or dealing with universal rather than particular aspects.
Interesting, isn’t it? When is the last time you felt that your welfare was promoted? That was the whole reasoning for basing our form of government upon Republican Principles. The intention for this being that every citizen is to receive equitable treatment. And, that the will or desires of a few, or, the majority, could not outweigh the welfare of the general. Oh, and it gets so much better….
‘and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity’;
And here, my fellow Americans is the real meat and potatoes! The Framers were quite clearly not selfish, greedy individuals. They had risked all in breaking away from the tyranny of the crown;
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” – Declaration of Independence
And the above instance was not the first time they had made a Declaration of their intentions:
“If it was possible for men, who exercise their reason, to believe, that the Divine Author of our existence intended a part of the human race to hold an absolute property in, and an unbounded power over others, marked out by his infinite goodness and wisdom, as the objects of a legal domination never rightfully resistible, however severe and oppressive, the Inhabitants of these Colonies might at least require from the Parliament of Great Britain some evidence, that this dreadful authority over them, has been granted to that body. But a reverence for our great Creator, principles of humanity, and the dictates of common sense, must convince all those who reflect upon the subject, that government was instituted to promote the welfare of mankind, and ought to be administered for the attainment of that end. The legislature of Great Britain, however, stimulated by an inordinate passion for a power, not only unjustifiable, but which they know to be peculiarly reprobated by the very constitution of that kingdom, and desperate of success in any mode of contest, where regard should be had to truth, law, or right, have at length, deserting those, attempted to effect their cruel and impolitic purpose of enslaving these Colonies by violence, and have thereby rendered it necessary for us to close with their last appeal from Reason to Arms. - Yet, however blinded that assembly may be, by their intemperate rage for unlimited domination, so to slight justice and the opinion of mankind, we esteem ourselves bound, by obligations of respect to the rest of the world, to make known the justice of our cause.”
- John Dickenson and Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms, July 6, 1775.
Striking resemblance to our present day situation, yes? Is it not strange how history repeats itself? One would think that the supposed ‘enlightened ones’ of today would be aware of these historical facts. In addition, that they would be cognizant of the underlying causes of discontent within a society. Find it very peculiar that a country originally based upon the Principles of Freedom and Liberty. Would seek a return to a form of governmental operation that is so clearly subversive of those very Principles on which it was founded. Perplexing. But, I ramble. Let us continue on unto the last:
‘do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America’;
The word that jumped out at me, so to speak, is ‘ordain’. Causes one to contemplate as to the reason(s) why the Framers would use that word. It thusly would behoove us to consult with Mr. Webster once again;
ordain, or·dain; 1 : to invest officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority.2 a : to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law : ENACT b : DESTINE, FOREORDAIN.
Wow! Eye opening, isn’t it? Especially, when one takes into consideration the level of education that many of the Framers possessed. In other words, they had crystal clear understanding of the meaning of the words they employed. Now, they used the word ‘ordain’ as well as ‘establish’. Why would they use ‘ordain’? Unless of course, they meant to signify the importance of an additional intention?
In closing, a few words from Mr. James Madison concerning the subject contended;
"The federal and State governments are in fact but different agents and trustees of the people, constituted with different powers, and designed for different purposes....These gentlemen must here be reminded of their error. They must be told that the ultimate authority, wherever the derivative may be found, resides in the people alone...Truth, no less than decency, requires that the event in every case should be supposed to depend on the sentiments and sanction of their common constituents." - James Madison, Federalist No. 46
In any event, the above points are valid ones on which to ponder….
No comments:
Post a Comment