Constitution Week - Sept 17-23: The Cornerstone of Our Democracy

The members of the Sarah Riggs Humphreys-Mary Silliman Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) wish to remind everyone of the signing of the Constitution of the United States 236 years ago.

Constitution Week, September 17-23, commemorates the signing of the Constitution of the United States. The first plan of national government the United States had was called Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, quickly shortened to the Articles of Confederation. The Confederation was a loosely joined group of states which gave only limited powers to the central government. The Articles were drawn up in 1777 and went out of existence when the Constitution was adopted in 1789.

The Preamble to the Constitution explains the purpose of the laws set down in the Constitution. America was one of the first countries to reject the rule of the few elites.[i]

“In Order to Form a More Perfect Union” tells us why the Constitution was written. The rule of the people and their commitment to these principles formed a common bond. They were united by more than geography; they were united by the pursuit of justice and the common good.

In “Establish Justice” we are guaranteed that we will all be treated fairly. The Founders recognized that politics does not define what is right; and it eschews greed, vainglory and the ever evolving ‘right side of history’. Justice seeks to secure and preserve the laws of nature and of God.

“Insure Domestic Tranquility” promises that we can live together in peace.

“Provide for the Common Defense” says that the citizens of the United States will be protected from any and all enemies. America seeks to protect the lives, liberties, and property from all threats, internal and external.

“Promote the General Welfare” states that everything will be done for the common good of the country and its citizens.

“Secure the Blessings of Liberty” simply means that we are a free people. Liberty allows us to fulfill our dreams, achieve our potential, worship as we choose. We hold many things in common wishing to live safe and secure lives and pass on our beliefs to those who come after.

This guarantee of freedom is the cornerstone of democracy. The U.S. Constitution is the oldest constitution still in active use in the world today and is the basic document of our republic, which protects the individual liberties of all citizens through written law.

American colonists fought, sacrificed, and died to establish and preserve the freedoms now guaranteed to us by the Constitution of the United States. We must protect these rights through diligence and our willingness to defend the Constitution.

The DAR perpetuates the memory and spirit of the men and women who won American independence. Any woman who is lineally descended from an ancestor who aided the patriot cause during the American Revolution may be eligible to join. The DAR is a nonprofit lineage society focused on historical preservation, community education and patriotism. For more information visit www.sarahriggshumphreysDAR.org
[i] Paraphrased from article in Wall Street Journal Opinion Section by Adam Carrington, Assistant Professor of Politics at Hillsdale College, Michigan, titled “What Ever Happened to ‘We the People’?” WST Sep 17, 2019 pA19