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Let's see how much I remember
Aug. 26th, 2003 03:07 pm
In eighth grade in Illinois, all students were required to pass a Constitution Test in order to go on to high school. Our history teachers were charged with educating us about the US and Illinois constitutions. I don't remember much about the Illinois constitution, but here's what I recall about the Federal document. What I remember is at top, the actual text is below.
Preamble:
We the people, of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union, (forgotten parts here), secure the blessings of liberty, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Articles:
All forgotten
Amendments/Bill of Rights:
1) Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
2) Right to bear arms
3) Quartering of soldiers
4) Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizure
5) Right to not self-incriminate
6) Right to speedy and public trial
7) Right to jury
8) Forgotten
9) Forgotten
10) States' rights
I am writing about this because I am deeply concerned right now about the state of our government and our Constitution. I think about our founding fathers, and the documents they drafted to assure our rights and freedoms, pretty regularly, but I don't often go back and actually read them.
I wonder if that judge in Alabama who wants the 10 Commandments in the courthouse has bothered to assure that the Bill of Rights is in the courthouse, for all to read.
Here are the actual texts of the above. I'll just post a link to the Articles of the Constitution, since it's long.
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 defense, 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.
Articles can be read at:
http://snurl.com/25q1
Article 1 establishes the Senate and House of Representatives as the Congress of the US. It defines how Representatives and Senators are elected, and their term lengths. It describes tax apportionment. It goes into more detail about the function and operation of the Congress. It describes the uses of taxes. It discusses the limits of states' rights.
Article 2 discusses the office of President -- who may hold it, how it is determined, the responsibilities of the office.
Article 3 discusses the Judicial branch -- establishing the Supreme Court, and Section 3 of Article 3 defines treason.
Article 4 discusses states and the rights of citizens of states.
Article 5 allows for Amendments to the Constitution.
Article 6 requires Senators and Representatives to uphold the Constitution
Article 7 requires the ratification of the Constitution by the states at that time, and includes the signatures of the ratifiers. It was completed and ratified on September 17, 1787.
I hope you'll take a look at it.
The Bill of Rights were the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, and were ratified on Dcember 15, 1791. The text reads as follows:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Amendments 11-27 can be read at:
http://snurl.com/25q5
Preamble:
We the people, of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union, (forgotten parts here), secure the blessings of liberty, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Articles:
All forgotten
Amendments/Bill of Rights:
1) Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
2) Right to bear arms
3) Quartering of soldiers
4) Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizure
5) Right to not self-incriminate
6) Right to speedy and public trial
7) Right to jury
8) Forgotten
9) Forgotten
10) States' rights
I am writing about this because I am deeply concerned right now about the state of our government and our Constitution. I think about our founding fathers, and the documents they drafted to assure our rights and freedoms, pretty regularly, but I don't often go back and actually read them.
I wonder if that judge in Alabama who wants the 10 Commandments in the courthouse has bothered to assure that the Bill of Rights is in the courthouse, for all to read.
Here are the actual texts of the above. I'll just post a link to the Articles of the Constitution, since it's long.
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 defense, 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.
Articles can be read at:
http://snurl.com/25q1
Article 1 establishes the Senate and House of Representatives as the Congress of the US. It defines how Representatives and Senators are elected, and their term lengths. It describes tax apportionment. It goes into more detail about the function and operation of the Congress. It describes the uses of taxes. It discusses the limits of states' rights.
Article 2 discusses the office of President -- who may hold it, how it is determined, the responsibilities of the office.
Article 3 discusses the Judicial branch -- establishing the Supreme Court, and Section 3 of Article 3 defines treason.
Article 4 discusses states and the rights of citizens of states.
Article 5 allows for Amendments to the Constitution.
Article 6 requires Senators and Representatives to uphold the Constitution
Article 7 requires the ratification of the Constitution by the states at that time, and includes the signatures of the ratifiers. It was completed and ratified on September 17, 1787.
I hope you'll take a look at it.
The Bill of Rights were the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, and were ratified on Dcember 15, 1791. The text reads as follows:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Amendments 11-27 can be read at:
http://snurl.com/25q5
