Posted on 09/09/2010 7:54:59 AM PDT by Publius
Earlier threads:
FReeper Book Club: The Debate over the Constitution
5 Oct 1787, Centinel #1
6 Oct 1787, James Wilsons Speech at the State House
8 Oct 1787, Federal Farmer #1
9 Oct 1787, Federal Farmer #2
18 Oct 1787, Brutus #1
22 Oct 1787, John DeWitt #1
27 Oct 1787, John DeWitt #2
27 Oct 1787, Federalist #1
31 Oct 1787, Federalist #2
3 Nov 1787, Federalist #3
5 Nov 1787, John DeWitt #3
7 Nov 1787, Federalist #4
10 Nov 1787, Federalist #5
14 Nov 1787, Federalist #6
15 Nov 1787, Federalist #7
20 Nov 1787, Federalist #8
21 Nov 1787, Federalist #9
23 Nov 1787, Federalist #10
24 Nov 1787, Federalist #11
27 Nov 1787, Federalist #12
27 Nov 1787, Cato #5
28 Nov 1787, Federalist #13
29 Nov 1787, Brutus #4
30 Nov 1787, Federalist #14
1 Dec 1787, Federalist #15
4 Dec 1787, Federalist #16
5 Dec 1787, Federalist #17
7 Dec 1787, Federalist #18
8 Dec 1787, Federalist #19
11 Dec 1787, Federalist #20
12 Dec 1787, Federalist #21
14 Dec 1787, Federalist #22
18 Dec 1787, Federalist #23
18 Dec 1787, Address of the Pennsylvania Minority
19 Dec 1787, Federalist #24
21 Dec 1787, Federalist #25
22 Dec 1787, Federalist #26
25 Dec 1787, Federalist #27
26 Dec 1787, Federalist #28
27 Dec 1787, Brutus #6
28 Dec 1787, Federalist #30
1 Jan 1788, Federalist #31
3 Jan 1788, Federalist #32
3 Jan 1788, Federalist #33
3 Jan 1788, Cato #7
4 Jan 1788, Federalist #34
5 Jan 1788, Federalist #35
8 Jan 1788, Federalist #36
10 Jan 1788, Federalist #29
11 Jan 1788, Federalist #37
15 Jan 1788, Federalist #38
16 Jan 1788, Federalist #39
18 Jan 1788, Federalist #40
19 Jan 1788, Federalist #41
22 Jan 1788, Federalist #42
23 Jan 1788, Federalist #43
24 Jan 1788, Brutus #10
25 Jan 1788, Federalist #44
26 Jan 1788, Federalist #45
29 Jan 1788, Federalist #46
31 Jan 1788, Brutus #11
IBTP, OK Bill, I’m reading it now
Good Morning! Is this an on-going discussion regarding the Federalist Papers?, bought the book and is a difficult read, this will be helpful.
Yes. Check Post #2 for links, or click on “FReeper Book Club” on the upper right of the News Forum page.
Outstanding. Thank you. If you are keeper of the Ping list, please add me.
Abel Upshur Secretary of the Navy 1841-43
If I worked for a month I could not say it any better than that!
It is not, therefore, the Constitution that is a "living document," it is the government it controls, and just as with cell growth, where the control mechanisms for growth are corrupted natural growth can become cancer. It isn't the happiest of metaphors but it'll do for now.
From 1607 onward, the distant British colonies were forced to organize themselves into largely self governing entities for the sake of defense against French and Indian depredations and for commerce. Left to govern themselves during the English Civil War in a near Lochean state of nature, colonial and municipal governments developed varying modes of legislative, executive and judicial departments.
Upon revolt from Britain the states were more than ready to formally adopt freedom loving and government limiting constitutions. As Madison outlines, their structures were remarkably similar.
Our Constitution was therefore not a flash in the pan, nor a passing whimsy. What Montesquieu theorized was already well underway across the Atlantic.
No, our Constitution was and is a uniquely AMERICAN form of government, developed over 180 years, rooted in Natural Law and suitable only for a virtuous people jealous to defend their God given rights.
Which we have done a very poor job of in my estimation.
But there is one thing about government cells that our standard cells do not have: government cells do not die. They survive and grow, and multiply. Government cells do not go through stages of life (infancy, adoescence, old age and termination), and they never are lean; they bloat with age.
Their life cycle is the citizens' fault. We should be weeding out the old growth by putting a sunset on every bureau and every office within that bureau. The same with every tax, tax raise, or regulation.
Our distancing ourselves from constitutional principles is this nation's biggest problem; and the reason is obvious: George Mason hit the nail on the head with this section of his "Virginia Declaration of Rights:"
XV That no free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue and by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles."
It is time for our citizens to recoginize the importance of that last clause.
Interesting observation. In his collection of short stories titled Mosses from an Old Manse, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote a story titled "Endicott and the Red Cross" which takes place during this period of upheaval in Salem, Massachusetts.
You’re right that it’s not a happy metaphor, but I haven’t seen it said better because it paints a most vivid picture.
Every session of congress sees sunset and sunlight proposals, yet they never go anywhere but the round file.
Yeah! I know! Why do you suppose that is?
“The best laws, though sanctioned by every citizen of the state, will be of no avail unless the young are trained by habit and education in the spirit of the constitution.” - Aristotle
Yeah, a poor job indeed.
Have you read Frothingham’s 1872, “The Rise of the Republic of the United States?” Its available in pdf from Cornell U.
I’ll have to take a look at it. Thanks.
Thanks.
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