Religion In America

While Europeans were introducing most of the New World’s religious sects, they were settling religious scores in the Old World. In the 1640s, as newly arrived Puritans built up New England, back in England the Puritans, Protestant Anglicans, and Catholic Cavaliers fought a bloody civil war. At the same time, Protestants and Catholics in German-speaking … Continue reading

The Federalist Number 10 1788 Part 1 of 2

“We behold a…..Remedy” Virginia’s James Madison (1751–1836) had served as indefatigable secretary and chief warhorse of the Constitutional Convention. His notes of the proceedings and deliberations, first published after his death–he was the last surviving delegate–are a guide to the four-month convention. He prompted his fellow delegates (55 were present in the beginning, only 42 … Continue reading

The Federalist Number 1 1787

The very reluctant Confederation Congress, prodded by the fatigued “father of the Constitution,” James Madison (1751–1836), submitted the proposed replacement for the Articles of Confederation to ratifying conventions called by each state legislature. Federalists, conceding that the new charter might need some changes, suggested that the conventions adopt the Constitution and submit suggestions for amendments. … Continue reading

The Constitution of The United States Part II of II

THE TWENTY-SEVEN AMENDMENTS  “To Form a More Perfect Union”  Since the U.S. Constitution came into force in 1789, it has been amended twenty-seven times. In general, the first ten amendments known collectively as the Bill of Rights, offer specific protections of individual liberty and justice and place restrictions on the powers of government.  The majority … Continue reading

The Constitution of The United States – Part I of II

LITERAL TEXT, WITH AMENDMENTS  “To Form a More Perfect Union”  1787–Present  The feckless, states-oriented Articles of Confederation (1781) wasn’t working.  George Washington (1732–1799) declared, “I can foresee no evil greater than disunion.”  It took 42 of the nation’s “better sort” with sticktoitiveness–“well-bred, well-fed, well-read, and well-wed” white men, from twelve of the thirteen states (obdurate … Continue reading

A Prelude To The U.S. Constitution

Though the defects of the Articles of Confederation outweighed its virtues, the document was one more step toward creating the constitutional policy that became America’s great contribution to political theory.  It was another document that sought to develop fundamental law and to limit government and its powers.  The earliest, as we have previously seen, was … Continue reading