Constitution
The Constitution and who it belongs To When
Thomas Jefferson signed the
Constitution, there was a big reason why he
believed it would endure. Having
written the Declaration of Independence
based on John Locke's ideas, as well as
playing a large role in the Congress
and being President, Jefferson had good
faith in the constitution's
structure, the beliefs it was based on, and the
people that would help to
back it up. In writing the doctrine, the founding
fathers knew that it must
stabilize the current disunity that had been plaguing
the nation since the
end of the War, but at the same time not become outdated or
too unrealistic.
Thus, one of the methods used to achieve this was the poetic
opening, the
preamble. By stating what the constitution was intended to do, it
can remain
an important part of government. "In order to form a more
perfect union"
reminds us to never settle for less, to strive to be the
best in the world.
"Establish justice", that no one person can be
denied a fair trial, and to
carry out justice to the furthest extent of the law.
"Insure domestic
tranquility", that the nation will be at peace w/one
another, unlike during
the Articles of Federation.
The list goes on.
To further insure it's durability, the Bill of Rights was
written. Also known
as the first 10 amendments, these are believed to be god
given rights, that
no one w/the exception of almighty god himself can deny a
man. This way, we
can insure the states will never suffer again under a tyrant
like Britain.
Because of this, the citizens can have faith in the government and
the people
who carry out the law. But perhaps the best test of the Constitution
has been
the tests of time itself. Unbiased, and never stopping or slowing down
for
anyone or any reason, the articles were tested when Andrew Johnson and
Bill
Clinton were impeached. When it was discovered Nixon had known about
the
Watergate break in, and was covering it up, eventually forcing his
resignation.
When Robert Ford pardoned
him.
When the 11 southern states seceded and
forced a bitter civil warof friend
against friend, brother against brother.
When slavery was finally abolished. And
not to mention 4 presidential
assassinations. The Constitution endures because
of it's structure. It 's
ability to serve the majority of the nation, but at the
same time not to
trample the rights of the minority. It's ability to be amended
when needed,
and stand strong when tested. It's careful system of checks and
balances,
making sure that no one branch becomes to strong, and wields
unstoppable
power. The fact that each person, including the president himself
must answer
for their actions. The careful seperation of
powers.
These, as well as the brave men and
women who dedicate their lives to carry out
and protect the Constitution. The
men and women who serve in the military, ready
to fight and give their lives
to protect our nation and right to believe in god.
The countless brave
young men who have already died in the battlefield, some
never knowing what's
it like to graduate from college, to marry and raise a
family, or to see
their sports team win a championship. This is what makes
America such a
great country, a proud nation, and why as long as time endures,
the
constitution will endure. John Locke would be proud.