OCR Text |
Show 110 'l'IIE Fl!:Db:HAL CONY .li:N1'ION. OFFICIAL LET'rEll .Adopted by the Conv('n/ion, and add1·csscd to Cong1·ess, wilh a cozJy of the Con ·tilutivn. " "'\Y c have now the honor to oubiui L to tho consideration of the United Stales in Congrc~s assembled, that Constitution which has appeared to us the most advisable. "'l'hc friends of our country have long seen and desired I that the pow ·r of mu.kiug war, peace, n.n<l treaties; that of levying money nnd regulating· CO illlll crce; ond the corrr.spt> ndl'llt cxecntivc nnd juJieial 1111thori Lies, chould Le fully r1.11d dl'eetually vested in the general government of the Union. But the in1propri >ty of tlelt•gaLing such extensive t ru:L to one Lody ol' lllCll it; evident. '!'hence re. ulls tho ueccssity of a difl'crc11t orgltnz.a.Liou. It is oLv iou. ly impraetieuule in the federal goverulllent of these Slates, to Recure all rights of illl1cpe ndent sove reignty to each, and ) yet provide for the interest nud snfcty of all. Iudividuuls entering in to society must give up u. sharo of liberty to pre erve the resl. Tho magnitude of the sacrifice must dcprnd ns well on Ritnution antl circum, tances, ns on the ol>j 'CL to be obtained. It is Itt all times difricult to t11·nw with precision the line between tho ·e rights which must be su rrendered and those which may be reserved. And on the prcscut occa ion this difficulty was increased by a difference nm on~ the several SLates as to their situation extent habils and I I I particular interests. Iu all our dnliheratious on this subject, we kept steadily in 0111' view that which 11ppeared to n~ the greatest interest of every true A meri ca.n ,-the con sol itl n Lion of our Union, in which is involved out· prosperity, felicity, safety, perhaps onr national exit;tencc. This important consiucra.Lion, criously and deeply impressed on our minds, lc(1 each Stnto in the Convent ion to be leHR rigid in point 1' of' inf('l'ior mug· TIIE ~'EDILRAL CoNVENTION. 111 nitude than mig-ht hnve been otherwise expected. Ancl thus the Constitution which we now present is the result of a spirit of amity, an(l of that mutual deference and concession, whi ·h Lhe peculiarity of our political ~ i luat ion render ·d indispcnsal,le. '' 'l'hnt it will meet the full and entire npprobation of every Stale is not, perhaps, to Le expected. But each will doubtless consider that, had her interest nlono been consulted, the consequence might have been particula rly disngrccal> le and injurious to others. That it is liable to us few exceptions as could rcn::)onably have been expected, we hope and believe; that it will promote the l1t~ting welfare of that co un try so dear to us u.ll, and secure our freedom and happiness, is our most anlent wish." ARTICLES In arhhtion to, ancl anwnclment of, the Const/tution of the Unt'tNl Hlales of A 111 e?'i(·a, prnposecl by Cunu.,·css, and ?·atificd by the L r>y is/a!u?'('S of the s 'l (')·ul 8/a/('s, pursuant to the fifth arLiclt' of Lite o1·iginal Oon~t/tutiun. AR:'WLE I. Congress shall make no law respecting nn establishment of religion, or prohiuiting the free exercise thereof; or abrid~ing the freedom of speech, or of tho press; 01' the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to pet.iLion the government fot· n. redress of grievances. An:riCLE 2. A well regu1ated militia being necef.:su.ry to the security of a f1·ee State, the right of the people to keep nnu Len.r nrms, shn.ll not be infringed. AR1:lCJ,E 3. No sold ier hall, in time of pence, he qnnr-tcred m auy honse, without the consent of the owner nor • • I 111 tune of war, but in a. nHUlll<'r Lo Le prescribed hy law. ARTIOLE 4. 'rile right of the people to be secure in their per·s o ns, 11 ons.e s, paperH . 1 aiH1 effects, ogn.1ust unrenso n-uble sen rch e~ an(l se izures, shall not be violated, nnd no |