COMMENTARY
Editor’s Note: Much like “Lexington,” an anonymous commentator for The Economist magazine, “Lex et Veritas” will be offering commentary for readers of InsideVero.com. “Lex et Veritas” will be addressing local politics, lagoon contamination, quality of education, Libertarian and Liberal excesses, media reporting and agendas, wealth disparity and more.
LUX ET VERITAS
The United States Constitution was ratified on September 17, 1791 by twelve of the thirteen States; Rhode Island the lone negative vote. Four of the original States later seceded, joined by another seven (including Florida) then in the Union. Unfortunately segregation was spawned and continued for another Century after the Civil War.
The original Constitution principally protected the liberty of white males. Only male landowners could vote and hold office. Property (slaves were deemed property) was also protected and in many states spouses and children were also considered property. There were no limitations on their utilization, acquisition and disposal. Women were not permitted to vote until the 20th Century.
The principal source of revenue was from liquor taxes, which continued until the introduction of income taxes in the early 20th Century, thus enabling prohibition through the 18th Amendment in 1919. Prohibition was reversed in 1933 by the 21st Amendment, which led to creation of several hundred thousand jobs at the nadir of the Great Depression.
The Second Amendment addressed, in part, the militia since there was no standing army. In fact, when the Second Amendment was ratified, the entire US Army numbered about 7000 soldiers. The initial use of the militia was to quell the Whisky Rebellion, sparked when western Pennsylvania farmers refused to pay liquor taxes. The militia Acts were enacted in 1781 to establish a standing army and were superseded in 1911 with the establishment of the National Guard.
When the Constitution was ratified, there was no such concept of “illegal immigrants”. Our country was welcoming to all, especially those who served in the rapidly expanding merchant fleet. Congress even passed legislation explicitly sheltering non-citizen mariners.
As conservatives and ultra-conservatives remind us today, at the time our nation was founded, regulation was indeed limited. For example, there were no restrictions regarding the environment, financial institutions, transportation, and there was no Federal funding of infrastructure and education.
There has been extensive focus upon smaller government/essential services as envisioned by the Founding Fathers. President John Adams in July 1798 presented legislation by the Congress (several members of whom signed the Declaration of Independence and/or the Constitution) titled “An Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen.” The act mandated privately employed sailors be required to purchase health care insurance. The law also authorized the Federal Government to operate a marine hospital service. Included were newly arrived non-citizen immigrants.
A salient feature of the Constitution was that it could be amended, and has been 27 times. In total, the amendments to the Constitution comprise over 3000 words; the original had 4450 – a seventy percent revision. The Supreme Court frequently dealt with and continues to provide decisions on Constitutional issues; at times, reversing previous judgments.
No one is hostile to an efficient operation of government. However, attempts to retrofit the 21st Century Global economy with America as a super power to an agrarian, rural nation of the 18th Century where only 5 percent of the population resided in cities, are exceedingly unrealistic. Selective interpretation and presumption of “the intent” of the Founders regarding property rights, the scope of Federal programs, technology, social mores and discourse is disingenuous at best and deceitful at worst.
Men and women of character, conviction and conscience may well take pause.
Indian River Guardian 