James Madison
Posted on 05/29/2005 8:36:57 PM PDT by CHARLITE
I think it never occurred to them that anyone would fail to understand their meaning.
Nam Vet
It is clear from the statements listed above the states recognized Almighty God and by Madison's own statement in #45, reiterated in the 10th Amendment, they were free to establish state denominations. And they were free not to. It was a choice left to the states. Under the Constitution, the US was never established as a Christian nation, however from the statements above it is clear the separate and sovereign states recognized 'Almighty God' (a clear reference to the Judeo-Christian God) as the source for their rights and derived powers. These were the states whose legislatures would elect Senators and the President. One could easily assume, rightly so, that the men sent to the capitol would be Christian and make their decisions accordingly.
Of course this is a moot point since the Republican party destroyed the intent of the Framers that the states and the national government would be equal and the aspect of federalism
Alaska? Not there.
You can see it, if you go back up to the top of the piece.
"Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land."
Apologies!
Char :)
Mass. has since amended it to read, Supreme Significant Other.
ping to moi for later pingout.
Excellent comment. It reminds me of General Tommy Franks marvelous speech at our Republican Convention, when he said, "God is NOT indifferent to America."
I still have faith that we will defeat all of America's enemies, foreign and domestic. That's what keeps me doing what I do all day long, trying to raise people's consciences to the realities of this awesome enemy we are facing - at home and around the world.
Thanks very much for your insights.
Char
You're welcome, and I am flattered.
Just so I can find this again.
-I'm surprised the ACLU hasn't yet sued all 50 states to change their constitutions.-
Give 'em time.
WHEN in the Course of Human Events,it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.
WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness -- That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness...
WE, therefore, the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in GENERAL CONGRESS, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political Connection between them and the State of Great-Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which INDEPENDENT STATES may of right do. 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.
Good to see how 'conservatives' embrace the destruction of one aspect of federalism through the 14th Amendment as progress...
Madison was clear in #45 that all powers not specifically named in the Constitution belonged to the states. This included establishment of a state denomination if the citizens of that state so chose
Bump
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