(Editorial Comment from the American Heathen® radio show – Air Date 10/29/10)
On the eve of another election, so many participants and candidates claim to be fighting for the United States Constitution. And yet, as I listen and read all the rhetoric coming from each of them, I find it difficult to find evidence for this claim. Instead, I hear the trumpeting of malicious agendas squarely aimed at usurping the Constitution and the freedoms and liberties it upholds.
So, who really fights for the Constitution? Well, before I get to that it’s important to tell you what the Constitution really is. First and foremost, it is a document that created a nation following a period of enlightenment. The Founding Fathers cherished freedom, even though they themselves denied freedom to some. In their time of history, humanity had yet progressed when it came to acceptance of Blacks, Asians, Middle Easterners, Native Americans and, of course, anyone who wasn’t white. Even women were considered lesser. Indeed, our founders were less than perfect, far from tolerant, and needy in practice. But, they did know that change would come as time passed and knowledge was acquired. Indeed, the Constitution bares the scars of time and knowledge. From prohibition to civil rights, the Constitution has ebbed and flowed, but maintained its most cherished of principles, freedom. On September 17th, 1787, the last day of the Constitutional Convention, Pennsylvania delegate Ben Franklin wanted to give a speech prior to the signing of the final draft. At the time he was too weak to actually give the speech himself, he had fellow Pennsylvanian James Wilson deliver the speech. The following is as reported in Madison’s notes on the Convention.
Mr. President
I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others. Most men indeed as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in possession of all truth, and that wherever others differ from them it is so far error. Steele a Protestant in a Dedication tells the Pope, that the only difference between our Churches in their opinions of the certainty of their doctrines is, the Church of Rome is infallible and the Church of England is never in the wrong. But though many private persons think almost as highly of their own infallibility as of that of their sect, few express it so naturally as a certain french lady, who in a dispute with her sister, said “I don’t know how it happens, Sister but I meet with no body but myself, that’s always in the right — Il n’y a que moi qui a toujours raison.”
In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other. I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of the Builders of Babel; and that our States are on the point of separation, only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another’s throats. Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good. I have never whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born, and here they shall die. If every one of us in returning to our Constituents were to report the objections he has had to it, and endeavor to gain partizans in support of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose all the salutary effects & great advantages resulting naturally in our favor among foreign Nations as well as among ourselves, from our real or apparent unanimity. Much of the strength & efficiency of any Government in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends, on opinion, on the general opinion of the goodness of the Government, as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its Governors. I hope therefore that for our own sakes as a part of the people, and for the sake of posterity, we shall act heartily and unanimously in recommending this Constitution (if approved by Congress & confirmed by the Conventions) wherever our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts & endeavors to the means of having it well administered.
On the whole, Sir, I can not help expressing a wish that every member of the Convention who may still have objections to it, would with me, on this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument.
Infallibility? Indeed, we are not infallible. It is because of this that I look at the current state of our Democratic Republic, and I’m certain that passions, errors of opinion, local interests and selfish views are opening the door to despotism. The future of this country is in deep doubt as I hear the screams, hollers, taunts, lies and ideological scum that permeate every inch of society. Claims that they are defending the Constitution – made by politicians, judges and clergy – are riddled with intentional error, dripping with selfish abandon, bigotry, hatred and despotic tendency. More so than at any other time in our nation’s history, in my opinion, the word “Constitution” is being used as nothing more than a movie poster, a fanciful advertising catch phrase to draw in the ignorant and unsuspecting. So engrained into the electorate’s collective conscience the word “Constitution” is the only piece of its glorious history that truly remains. The people know nothing of what the Constitution really stands for anymore.
So, who’s really fighting for the Constitution? Those who stand for ALL people. Black, White, Brown, Red, Non-Religious, Religious, Gay, Straight, Bi-Sexual, Trans-Gendered, Women… ALL humanity in all its forms and with all its vices. The Constitution defends the rights of all, and stands firm in its conviction to defend those in the minority. It is this very ideal that gives strength to freedom and liberty. People who stand ready to fight for the rights of all are the ones who fight for the Constitution. They look carefully, choose wisely, and more importantly stand firm when despotism threatens. They do not yield, they do not waver, they do not pretend. They are true to humanity, an ideal that inspired one of the greatest documents in the world. Is it perfect? No. Is it better? Yes. Will it ever be perfect? Maybe.
To quote Franklin again…
“I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.”
Yes, Mr. Franklin… I’m in full agreement.
