Among the definitions are

Explanations Legal Information Institute at Cornell University Law School

www.heritage.org constitution articles and essays.

Our Constitution


ARTICLE I
ARTICLE II


ARTICLE III
ARTICLE IV


ARTICLE V
ARTICLE VI


ARTICLE VII

ARTICLE I

Section 1.

All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of
- a Senate and
- House of Representatives.

Section 2.

The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year
- by the people of the several states,
and the electors in each state
- shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of
- the most numerous branch of the state legislature.
No person shall be a Representative who
- shall not have attained to the age of twenty five years,
- and been seven years a citizen of the United States,
- and who shall not,
  - when elected,
  be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states

which may be included within this union,
according to their respective numbers,

which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons,

including those bound to service for a term of years,
and excluding Indians not taxed,

three fifths of all other Persons
^{see §2 AMENDMENT XIV}The actual Enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States,

and within every subsequent term of ten years,
in such manner as they shall by law direct.

The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand,

but each state shall have at least one Representative;

and until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three,


Massachusetts eight,	Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one,	Connecticut five,	New York six,
New Jersey four,	Pennsylvania eight,	Delaware one,	Maryland six,
Virginia ten,	North Carolina five,	South Carolina five,	and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any state,
the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers;
and shall have the sole power of impeachment.

Section 3.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state,
- chosen by the legislature thereof,^{see AMENDMENT XVII} for six years;
and each Senator shall have one vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first election,
they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes.
The seats of the Senators
- of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year,
- of the second class at the expiration of the fourth year,
- and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year,
- so that one third may be chosen every second year;
and if vacancies happen by resignation,

or otherwise,
during the recess of the legislature of any state,

the executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the legislature,
which shall then fill such vacancies.
^{see AMENDMENT XVII}
No person shall be a Senator who
- shall not have attained to the age of thirty years,
- and been nine years a citizen of the United States
- and who shall not,
  - when elected,
- be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate,
but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall choose their other officers,
and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President,
- or when he shall exercise the office of President of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments.
When sitting for that purpose,
- they shall be on oath or affirmation.
- When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside:
- And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present.
Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office,
- and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States:
but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to
- indictment,
- trial,
- judgment
- and punishment,
according to law.

Section 4.

The times,
- places
- and manner
of holding elections for Senators and Representatives,
shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof;
- but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations,
- except as to the places of choosing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year,
and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December,^{see §2 AMENDMENT XX}
- unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Section 5.

Each House shall be the judge of the elections,
- returns
- and qualifications
of its own members,
and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business;
- but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day,
- and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members,
  - in such manner,
  - and under such penalties
  as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings,
- punish its members for disorderly behavior, and,
- with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.
Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same,
- excepting such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy;
and the yeas and nays of the members of either House on any question shall,
- at the desire of one fifth of those present,
be entered on the journal.
Neither House, during the session of Congress, shall,
- without the consent of the other,
adjourn for more than three days, nor
to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section 6.

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services,
- to be ascertained by law,
and paid out of the treasury of the United States.
They shall in all cases,
- except treason,
- felony and
- breach of the peace,
be privileged from arrest
- during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses,
- and in going to and returning from the same;
and for any speech or debate in either House,
- they shall not be questioned in any other place.
No Senator or Representative shall,
- during the time for which he was elected,
be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States,
- which shall have been created,
- or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time:
and no person holding any office under the United States,
shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office.

Section 7.

All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives;
but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other Bills.
Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall,
- before it become a law,
be presented to the President of the United States; if he approve he shall sign it,
but if not he shall return it,
- with his objections to that House in which it shall have originated,
- who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it.
- If after such reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the bill,
- it shall be sent,
  - together with the objections,
  to the other House,
- by which it shall likewise be reconsidered,
- and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a law.
But in all such cases the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays,
- and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill
- shall be entered on the journal of each House respectively.
If any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted)
- after it shall have been presented to him,
the same shall be a law,
- in like manner as if he had signed it,
unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return,
- in which case it shall not be a law.
Every order,
- resolution,
- or vote
to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary
- (except on a question of adjournment)
shall be presented to the President of the United States;
- and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him,
or being disapproved by him,
- shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives,
- according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.

Section 8.

The Congress shall have power
to lay and collect taxes,
- duties,
- imposts and excises,
to pay the debts
- and provide for the common defense
- and general welfare of the United States;
- but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate commerce with foreign nations,
- and among the several states,
- and with the Indian tribes;
To establish a uniform rule of naturalization,
and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin money,
- regulate the value thereof,
- and of foreign coin,
- and fix the standard of weights and measures;
To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States;
To establish post offices and post roads;
To promote the progress of science and useful arts,
- by securing for limited times to authors and inventors
- the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries;
To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;
To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas,
- and offenses against the law of nations;
To declare war,
- grant letters of marque and reprisal,
- and make rules concerning captures on land and water;
To raise and support armies,
- but no appropriation of money to that use
- shall be for a longer term than two years;
To provide and maintain a navy;
To make rules for the government
- and regulation of the land and naval forces;
To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union,
- suppress insurrections
- and repel invasions;
To provide for organizing,
- arming,
- and disciplining,
the militia,
and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States,
- reserving to the states respectively,
- the appointment of the officers,
- and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District
- (not exceeding ten miles square)
as may,
- by cession of particular states,
- and the acceptance of Congress,
become the seat of the government of the United States,
and to exercise like authority over all places purchased
- by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same shall be,
for the erection of forts,
- magazines,
- arsenals,
- dockyards,
- and other needful buildings;
--And
To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers,
and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States,
- or in any department or officer thereof.

Section 9.

The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states now existing shall think proper to admit,
shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight,
- but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation,
- not exceeding ten dollars for each person.
The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless
- when in cases of rebellion
- or invasion
the public safety may require it.
No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid,

unless in proportion to the census
or enumeration
herein before directed to be taken.
^{see AMENDMENT XVI}
No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state.
No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue
- to the ports of one state over those of another:
- nor shall vessels bound to, or from, one state, be obliged
  - to enter,
  - clear
  - or pay duties in another.
No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law;
and a regular statement and account of
- the receipts and expenditures of all public money
- shall be published from time to time.
No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States:
and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall,
- without the consent of the Congress,
accept of any present,
- emolument,
- office,
- or title,
of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.

Section 10.

No state shall enter into any treaty,
- alliance,
- or confederation;
grant letters of marque and reprisal;
coin money;
emit bills of credit;
make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts;
pass any bill of attainder,
- ex post facto law,
  or law impairing the obligation of contracts,
or grant any title of nobility.
No state shall,
- without the consent of the Congress,
lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports,
- except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection laws:
and the net produce of all duties and imposts,
- laid by any state on imports or exports,
shall be for the use of the treasury of the United States;
and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congress.
No state shall, without the consent of Congress,
- lay any duty of tonnage,
- keep troops, or ships of war in time of peace,
- enter into any agreement or compact with another state,
  or with a foreign power,
- or engage in war, unless actually invaded,
  or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.

ARTICLE II

Section 1.

The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.
He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and,
- together with the Vice-President, chosen for the same term,
be elected, as follows:
Each state shall appoint,
- in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct,
a number of electors,
- equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress:
but no Senator or Representative,
- or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States,
shall be appointed an elector.
The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for two persons,
of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves.
And they shall make a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each;
which list they shall sign and certify, and
transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate.
The President of the Senate shall,

in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives,
open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted.
The person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President,

if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed;
and if there be more than one who have such majority,

and have an equal number of votes,
then the House of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for President;
and if no person have a majority,
then from the five highest on the list the said House shall in like manner choose the President.
But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States,

the representation from each state having one vote;
A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states,
and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice.
In every case, after the choice of the President,
the person having the greatest number of votes of the electors shall be the Vice President.
But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice-President.^{see AMENDMENT XII}
The Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors,
- and the day on which they shall give their votes;
- which day shall be the same throughout the United States.
No person except a natural born citizen,
- or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution,
shall be eligible to the office of President;
neither shall any person be eligible to that office
- who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years,
- and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States.
In case of the removal of the President from office,

or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office,
the same shall devolve on the Vice President,
and the Congress may

by law
provide for the case of removal,

death, resignation or inability,
both of the President and Vice President, declaring what officer shall then act as President,
and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.^{see AMENDMENT XXV}
The President
- shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a compensation,
  - which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected,
- and he shall not receive within that period any other emolument from the United States, or any of them.
Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:--

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States,
and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Section 2.

The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States,
and of the militia of the several states,
- when called into the actual service of the United States;
he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments,
- upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices,
and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States,
- except in cases of impeachment.
He shall have power,
- by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
to make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur;
and he shall nominate, and
- by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
shall appoint ambassadors,
other public ministers and consuls,
judges of the Supreme Court,
and all other officers of the United States,
whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for,
- and which shall be established by law:
but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers,
- as they think proper,
in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.
The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies
- that may happen during the recess of the Senate,
by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session.

Section 3.

He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union,
and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient;
he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them,
- and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment,
- he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper;
he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers;
he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed,
and shall commission all the officers of the United States.

Section 4.

The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States,
shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of,
- treason,
- bribery,
- or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

ARTICLE III

Section 1.

The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and
- in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.
The Judges,
- both of the supreme and inferior Courts,
shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and
shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation,
- which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section 2.

The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under
- this Constitution,
- the Laws of the United States, and
- Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;
- —to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;
- —to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;
- —to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;
- —to Controversies between two or more States;
- —between a State and Citizens of another State;^{See AMENDMENT XI}
- —between Citizens of different States,
- —between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States,
- and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects. ^{See AMENDMENT XI}
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors,
- other public Ministers and Consuls,
- and those in which a State shall be Party,
the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction.
In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction,
- both as to Law and Fact,
with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes,
- except in Cases of Impeachment,
shall be by Jury; and such Trial
- shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed;
- but when not committed within any State,
- the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Section 3.

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them,
- or in adhering to their Enemies,
- giving them Aid and Comfort.
No Person shall be convicted of Treason
- unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act,
- or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason,
but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture
except during the Life of the Person attainted.

ARTICLE IV

Section 1.

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to
- the public Acts,
- Records,
- and judicial Proceedings of
every other State.
And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such
- Acts,
- Records
- and Proceedings
shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Section 2.

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
A Person charged in any State
- with Treason,
- Felony,
- or other Crime,
who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State,
- shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled,
be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
No Person held to Service or Labour in one State,

under the Laws thereof,
escaping into another, shall,

in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein,
be discharged from such Service or Labour,
but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.^{see AMENDMENT XIII}

Section 3.

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State
- shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State;
- nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States,
without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power
- to dispose of
- and make all needful Rules and Regulations
respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States;
and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section 4.

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government,
and shall protect each of them against Invasion;
and on Application of the Legislature,
- or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened)
against domestic Violence.

ARTICLE V

The Congress,
- whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary,
shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or,
- on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States,
shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments,
which, in either Case, shall be valid
- to all Intents and Purposes,
as Part of this Constitution, when ratified
- by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or
- by Conventions in three fourths thereof,
- as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress;
Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight
- shall in any Manner
affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article;
and that no State,
- without its Consent,
shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

ARTICLE VI

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into,
- before the Adoption of this Constitution,
shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof;
- and all Treaties made,
  - or which shall be made,
  under the Authority of the United States,
shall be the supreme Law of the Land;
and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby,
- any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The
- Senators and Representatives before mentioned,
- and the Members of the several State Legislatures,
- and all executive and judicial Officers,
  - both of the United States and of the several States,
- shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution;
- but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

ARTICLE VII

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names, . . . .

Clauses

Sources lib.law.washington.edu, en.wikipedia.org, and
The U.S. Constitution And Fascinating Facts About It at Amazon


1808 Clause
Admiralty Clause
Admissions Clause
Advice and Consent Clause
Appointments Clause
Arisings Clause
Basket Clause
Case or Controversy Clause
Coefficient Clause
Coinage Clause
Comity Clause
Commander in Chief Clause
Commerce Clause
Compact Clause
Contract Clause
Copyright Clause
Disposing Clause
Diversity (of Citizenship) Clause
Dormant Commerce Clause
Elastic Clause
Emoluments Clause
Emolument Clause
Enclave Clause
Ex Post Facto Clause
Ex Post Facto Clause
Excepting Clause
Exceptions Clause
Export Clause
Extradition Clause


Faithful Execution Clause
Faithfully Executed Clause
Foreign Commerce Clause
Fugitive Slave Clause
Full Faith and Credit Clause
General Welfare Clause
Guarantee Clause
Impeachment Clause
Impeachment Clause (Power to Impeach)
Impeachment Clause (Effect of)
Implied Powers Clause
Import/Export Clause
Incompatibility Clause
Indian Commerce Clause
Ineligibility Clause
Interstate Commerce Clause
Loyalty Clause
Migration or Importation Clause
Militia Clause
Natural Born Citizen Clause
Naturalization Clause
Necessary and Proper Clause
Negative Commerce Clause
Oath or Affirmation Clause
Obligation of Contracts Clause
Orders, Resolutions, and Votes Clause
Origination Clause
Patent & Copyright Clause


Preemption Clause
Presentment Clause
Privileges and Immunities Clause
Property Clause
Qualifications Clause
Qualifications (of Senators) Clause
Qualifications Clause (for Presidency)
Republican Form Clause
Revenue Clause
Sinecure Clause
Speech or Debate Clause
Spending Clause
Statement & Account Clause
Supervising Clause
Supremacy Clause
Suspension Clause
Sweeping Clause
Take Care Clause
Taxing and Spending Clause
Territorial Clause
Three-Fifths Clause
Title of Nobility Clause
Tonnage Clause
Treaty Clause
Uniformity Clause
Vesting Clause (Legislative)
Vesting Clause (Executive)
Vesting Clause (Judicial)
War Clause
Welfare Clause

How should our nation go about implementing this gift to freedom?

Why are you messing with the Constitution? Do you have a reason, or goal you want to achieve?

Thanks for posting. Very interesting. Oh, so that’s how we got to this point. I just figured the criminals were winging it. /sarc

“charter of negative liberties” - Obama

If it has its defects, it is said, they can be best amended when they are experienced. But remember, when the people once part with power, they can seldom or never resume it again but by force. Many instances can be produced in which the people have voluntarily increased the powers of their rulers; but few, if any, in which rulers have willingly abridged their authority. This is a sufficient reason to induce you to be careful, in the first instance, how you deposit the powers of government.

How far the clause in the 8th section of the 1st article may operate to do away all idea of confederated states, and to effect an entire consolidation of the whole into one general government, it is impossible to say. The powers given by this article are very general and comprehensive, and it may receive a construction to justify the passing almost any law. A power to make all laws, which shall be necessary and proper, for carrying into execution, all powers vested by the constitution in the government of the United States, or any department or officer thereof, is a power very comprehensive and definite [indefinite?], and may, for ought I know, be exercised in a such manner as entirely to abolish the state legislatures. Suppose the legislature of a state should pass a law to raise money to support their government and pay the state debt, may the Congress repeal this law, because it may prevent the collection of a tax which they may think proper and necessary to lay, to provide for the general welfare of the United States? For all laws made, in pursuance of this constitution, are the supreme lay of the land, and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or laws of the different states to the contrary notwithstanding. — By such a law, the government of a particular state might be overturned at one stroke, and thereby be deprived of every means of its support.

It is not meant, by stating this case, to insinuate that the constitution would warrant a law of this kind; or unnecessarily to alarm the fears of the people, by suggesting, that the federal legislature would be more likely to pass the limits assigned them by the constitution, than that of an individual state, further than they are less responsible to the people. But what is meant is, that the legislature of the United States are vested with the great and uncontroulable powers, of laying and collecting taxes, duties, imposts, and excises; of regulating trade, raising and supporting armies, organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, instituting courts, and other general powers. And are by this clause invested with the power of making all laws, proper and necessary, for carrying all these into execution; and they may so exercise this power as entirely to annihilate all the state governments, and reduce this country to one single government. And if they may do it, it is pretty certain they will; for it will be found that the power retained by individual states, small as it is, will be a clog upon the wheels of the government of the United States; the latter therefore will be naturally inclined to remove it out of the way. Besides, it is a truth confirmed by the unerring experience of ages, that every man, and every body of men, invested with power, are ever disposed to increase it, and to acquire a superiority over every thing that stands in their way. This disposition, which is implanted in human nature, will operate in the federal legislature to lessen and ultimately to subvert the state authority, and having such advantages, will most certainly succeed, if the federal government succeeds at all. It must be very evident then, that what this constitution wants of being a complete consolidation of the several parts of the union into one complete government, possessed of perfect legislative, judicial, and executive powers, to all intents and purposes, it will necessarily acquire in its exercise and operation.

Let us now proceed to enquire, as I at first proposed, whether it be best the thirteen United States should be reduced to one great republic, or not? It is here taken for granted, that all agree in this, that whatever government we adopt, it ought to be a free one; that it should be so framed as to secure the liberty of the citizens of America, and such an one as to admit of a full, fair, and equal representation of the people. The question then will be, whether a government thus constituted, and founded on such principles, is practicable, and can be exercised over the whole United States, reduced into one state?

Anti-federalist: Brutus #1

Man this makes searching the constitution much easier! Thank you for doing this. You’ve made my own constitutional project a lot less stressful.

Fine. What is your point?

RE: "messing with"

An example would help to understand what you mean.

This is a copy of the Constitution. There was no attempt to "mess" with it.

For years I've wanted to actually read and understand to the best of my ability. I found that by displaying the text this way while keeping the structure and meaning works for me.

I've included the definition of terms which enabled me to better understand.

It's all a matter of simple HTML code. Look at the page source.

Here’s the point, Jacquerie. Whoever imagined that Barry, aka POSOTUS, could nullify the Constitution of these United States of America with one phrase, “charter of negative liberties”. Witness current events.

Bookmarked.

"It must be very evident then, that what this constitution wants of being a complete consolidation of the several parts of the union into one complete government . . . ."

IMO the courts have more to say than the Constitution.. it seems at times.

My reading of the Constitution and a little history is that the term "United States" was in fact the united states. Each state was a State. I do not think that the Constitution had the intention of anything else. However since the Civil War I believe the United States has become an entity and the states are mere parts. Can't blame that on Article I Section 8. Blame the likes of the Warren Court. :)

Bookmark

My reading of the Constitution and a little history is that the term "United States" was in fact the united states. Each state was a State.

Each state was a state and each state is a state. And each county is a county.

The United States was a consolidated government created by "We the people of the United States." By adopting the Constitution, the people of this country created political bonds with one another. Those bonds cannot be cast aside by any state or county or city. These lesser entities cannot cancel my status as a citizen of the United States and these lesser entities cannot sever my political bonds with Americans living in other states or counties or cities.

Outstanding (and bookmark).

ping

Well done, and thanks!!!

bkmk

Anyone noticing possible errors or questioning my definitions please post a reply. It is important that this be as correct as possible. The subject demands it and I’ve noticed a few links to this thread from other sites.