Briefing ReportConstitution Day!
Constitution DaySeptember 17, 2009
The Constitution of the United States of America was signed into existence by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA on September 17, 1787. I know, because I was there and I kept meticulous notes of the four months of debate that led up to that momentous occasion. It, along with my passion for liberty, helped earn me the appellation, "Father of the Constitution". Hello, my name is James Madison and I, also, am delighted that you have stopped by for a visit.
Our Nation began celebrating our Constitution's birthday, in ernest, on its 200th birthday - September 17, 1987. Since that time, a mere twenty years ago, we have had some form of Constitutional celebration going on each anniversary year.
Notably, have been the efforts of a remarkable woman, Louise Leigh, who up until her death in December 2007 (at age 92), organized a nation-wide, simultaneous reading of the Preamble of the Constitution on each September 17th for the past ten years. People of good will, from all accross the country, meet in differing locations to participate. Two of the most recent, leading readers, have been former Secretary-of-State Colin Powell and General Tommy Franks. It is my hope, and that of all "Founding Fathers", that this tradition continue.
Her efforts, perhaps as much as any other individual, led to the signing of an official Presidential Proclamation in recognition of "Constitution Day" in 2005. Schools and government organizations are now charged with providing Constitution study materials and making a concerted effort to educate students and the public at-large on the importance of Constitutional principles in our everyday lives. Louise, you may have joined me in passing into the eternities, but your efforts will always be celebrated, for you have helped put in place an important event pointing a positive direction for our country's future. Thank You!
Louise Leigh (center) picture courtesy of Bill Campbell
Long after my passing into the pages of history, a British Statesman, in recognition of it's 100th anniversary, stated that the Constitution of the United States of America "was the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man" (William Gladstone, 1887). Maybe I can shed some light into just why it evokes such tribute. (By the way, don't look to this little essay to try and understand the complexities of our governmental structure. I simply wish to share a couple of thoughts on the continuing importance of our Constitution.)
Some may have thought that we "founding fathers" just met in Philadelphia and immediately agreed upon its wording and completion. Well, that is not the way it happened. Though, we were men of logic and understanding and "students of liberty" we were, also, men with our own way of thinking and doing. You might say we were 'steeped' in our own personal preferences. But, what we did was to overcome those natural tendencies and through debate and compromise, came up with a document that has kept you a free people for the past 220 years. Pretty impressive, wouldn't you agree?
Some have looked for perfection in our Constitution and in the Nation that it upholds. I, myself, do not see perfection. I do see, however, genius. The genius of the Constitution is not limited to its exact wording or its specific organization. It's genius can be seen in the recognition of its own limitations and in it's ability to allow for self correction ("Bill of Rights", etc). It's genius is in understanding the imperfections of humanity and the potential for weakness in it's elected officials. It's genius is in the separation of powers and in putting that power into the hands of the many and not the few. It's genius is in the transfer of power through continuous use of election and, therefore, mitigating the need for change by force. The genius of our system of government is not simply that it supports a winning majority, but that it allows, and encourages, the minority to stay in the game with the chance of becoming the new winning majority the next time around.
I submit that one proof of that genius can be seen in the spawning of over one hundred nations that have, in some way or another, used our Constitution as an example, in principle, for the writing of their own Constitutions. And, you know what they say, "Imitation is the perfect form of compliment."
Yours in Liberty,
James Madison
4th President of the United States
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