The most significant provision of that amazing Constitution for self-government was that which provided the only valid means for its own amendment in Article V--the Founders' requirement that any amendment would be subject to the will of "its only KEEPERS,"(Justice Story)--"We, the People."
See Dr. Walter Berns' essay entitled, "Do We Have a Living Constitution?" edited and published in the book, "Our Ageless Constitution" (Stedman & Lewis). From that essay come the following excerpts:
"Until the people have, by some solemn and authoritative act, annulled or changed the established form, it is binding upon them collectively, as well as individually; and no presumption or even knowledge of their sentiments, can warrant their representatives [the executive, judiciary, or legislature]; in a departure from it prior to such an act." - Alexander Hamilton
Madison spoke out forcefully against frequent appeals to the people for change. Marshall had this Madisonian passage in mind when, in his opinion for the Court in Marbury, he wrote:
"That the people have an original right to establish, for their future government, such principles as, in their opinion, shall most conduce to their own happiness, is the basis on which the whole American fabric has been erected. The exercise of this original right is a very great exertion; nor can it, nor ought it, to be frequently repeated. The principles, therefore, so established, are deemed fundamental: and as the authority from which they proceed is supreme, and can seldom act, they are designed to be permanent."
Thanks for providing the original language to the thoughts we are attempting in our glib modern tongues to convey.
The founders sure could write!