stance: The title President had been used in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Delaware, and South Carolina; The term Senate had been used in eight states; the appointment and confirmation of judicial officers had been practiced in all the states; the practice of New York suggested the president's message, and that of Massachusetts his veto; each power of the president had its analogy in some state; the office of vice-president came from that of lieutenant governor in several of the states. Some of its peculiarities.—And yet the instrument is one of the most remarkable ever penned by man. 1. It is short. It would not occupy more than about two columns of a newspaper. 2. It covers the right ground. It deals with things permanent, and leaves transient matters to legislation. Its adaptation to our needs is seen in the fact that it has remained substantially unchanged, although in territory and population our country has grown immensely. 3. It is a model in arrangement and language. The lucidity and perspicuity of the language of the constitution have called forth expressions of admiration from all who have studied it carefully. Probably its master-stroke is the creation of the national judiciary. Let us now proceed to a study of the instrument itself, prepared to weigh carefully every sentence. Some Pertinent Questions. Group all the defects of the government under the articles of confederation using these two heads: 1. Defects in organization. 2. Defects in essential powers. In the constitutional convention there were several "plans" proposing forms of government. State the provisions of the Virginia plan; of the New Jersey plan; of the Hamilton plan; the Connecticut plan. Watch for traces of each as you proceed in your study of the constitution. Memorize the following outline of the constitution: GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE CONSTITUTION. PREAMBLE, giving reasons for the formation of the constitution. ARTICLE I.-The Legislative Branch. Sec. 1. Vestment of power in a congress of two houses. Sec. 2. House of representatives: apportionment, qualifications, election, term, sole powers. Sec. 3. Senate: apportionment, qualifications, election, term, sole powers. Sec. 5. Sec. 4. Congress : control of elections, time of meeting. Sec. 6. Sec. 7. Sec. 9. Prohibitions on congress. Sec. 10. Prohibitions on the states. ARTICLE II.-The Executive Branch. Sec. 1. Vestment of power, term, qualifications, election. Sec. 3. Duties. Sec. 4. Responsibility. ARTICLE III.-The Judicial Branch. Sec. 1. Vestment of authority, appointment, term, etc. Sec. 3. Treason, definition, procedure. ARTICLE IV.-The States. Sec. 1. Mutual credit of official papers. Sec. 2. Inter-state relations. Sec. 3. New states and territories. Sec. 4. Republican form of government guaranteed. ARTICLE V.-Mode of Amending the Constitution. ARTICLE VI.-Miscellaneous. ARTICLE VII.-Ratification. 1-10. Personal rights guaranteed. 11. Limitation on Jurisdiction of U. S. Courts. 12. Mode of electing the president and vice-president. Room. MAIN BUILDING. 33. House Document Room. 34. Engrossing and Enrolling Clerks of the 35. House Committee on Enrolled Bills. 37. Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court. 40. Office of the Marshal of the Supreme 41, 42. Senate Committee on Pensions. 45. Senate Committee on Private Land Claims. 46. Senate Committee on Geological Survey. The Old Hall of the House of Repre- Room. SENATE WING. 16. Office of the Secretary. 17. Executive Clerk. 20. Engrossing and Enrolling Clerks. 23. Closets. 24. Cloakrooms. 25. Room of the President. 26. The Senators' Reception Room. 27. The Vice-President's Room. 28. Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads. 29. Official Reporters of Debates. 30. Public Reception Room. 31. Committee on the District of Columbia. 32. Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms. 33. Elevators. CHAPTER XX. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. THE ENACTING CLAUSE1 OR PREAMBLE. 5 2 6 We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union,3 establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America. 8 1The preamble or enacting clause is very important, because it states the purposes for which the constitution was framed, and is, therefore, a valuable aid in interpreting its provisions. 2 These words are important, because: First, they recognize the people as the source of power. Second, they show that the constitution is different in nature from the articles of confederation. The latter was a compact between states, adopted by state legislatures acting for the states as such; the former was "ordained and established" by "the people of the United States," one people, acting as a unit. And the expression, which was inserted in the preamble after due deliberation, is, therefore, an argument in favor of the proposition that this is a nation and not a mere confederacy. "More perfect" than under the articles of confederation, in which the states were declared sovereign and independent. The sovereignty is given by the constitution to the general government, which is clothed with ample power to maintain its independence. At the same time such limitations are placed upon its power as will prevent its becoming despotic. |