The United States Constitution
A simplified explanation
for kids of what
The U.S. Constitution is
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“It may be a reflection on human nature that such devices [as Constitutional chains] should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself by the greatest of all reflections on human nature? …If angels were to government, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. [But lacking these,] in framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: YOU MUST FIRST ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTROL THE GOVERNED; AND IN THE NEXT PLACE OBLIGE IT TO CONTROL ITSELF.” (Federalist Papers, No. 52, p. 322; emphasis added.)
James Madison
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The Original Constitution Will NEVER Be Obsolete
providing freedom from abuse by those in authority.
Anyone who says the American Constitution
is obsolete just because social and economic conditions
have changed does not understand
the real genius of the Constitution.
HAS NOT CHANGED AND WILL NOT CHANGE --
NAMELY ... HUMAN NATURE.
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Danger of Losing Constitutional Rights
Furthermore, the Founders knew from experience that the loss of freedom through the gradual erosion of Constitutional principles is not always so obvious that the people can readily detect. Madison stated:
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations….This danger ought to be wisely guarded against."
(Elliot, Debates in the State Conventions, 3:87.)
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When Erosion Occurs, Act Quickly
In 2785, Madison had occasion to issue a vigorous warning to his own state of Virginia:
"It is proper to take alarm the FIRST EXPERIMENT ON OUR LIBERTIES. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of citizens and one of the noblest characteristics of the late Revolution. THE FREEMEN OF AMERICA did not wait till usurped power had strengthened itself by exercise and entangled the question in precedents. They saw all the consequences [of governmental abuses] in the principle, and they avoided the consequences by denying the principle [on which the abuses were based]. We revere this lesson too much…to forget it."
High Quality image of "The Freemen of America".
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/timeline/amrev/rebelln/freemen.html