Constitution, foundation for system of Liberty

A few years after the Declaration of Independence was signed, 39 men signed into order the United States Constitution, September 17, 1787. The writing of this document established the foundation for our system of Liberty.

The founding principles and rights stated in the United States Constitution are as pertinent today as the day they were written. The Preamble states: “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.”

The signers of the Constitution met in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. Their ages ranged from 26 to 81 years of age, and included George Washington, President and Deputy from Virginia. As written, the Constitution has seven Articles with Sections in each Article. 27 Amendments, changes or additions made legally to the Constitution, follow the Articles, with the first ten Amendments being known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791 to provide additional guarantees that the newly formed government would protect the rights of its citizens.

In Article 1, Section 1, the Constitution explains the governing powers by stating, “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.” Sections 2 and 3 further explain how the members of these bodies are chosen and the number of them, age requirements, citizenship, terms of service, vacancies, impeachment and more. Section 5 discusses elections, rules of proceedings, record keeping and more. Section 6 shows that Senators and Representatives receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.

Article 1 continues with Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10, and their provisions will be discussed in next week’s column.