Founding Father’s Quote Friday (The Bill)

The Bill of Rights

Hardly a day goes by when somewhere in our nation someone isn’t at the very least talking about ‘rights’ let alone, enjoying the pure luxury that the Bill of Rights has bestowed upon us. And for this writer, it is the very notion of those rights, protected and in writing that lure millions of people both legally and illegally to the United States each year.

Yet, what is this bill? What is the Bill of Rights and why it is woven through the very fabric of our daily lives? Sadly but true, and as foolish as this question sounds most Americans automatically believe they know what the Bill of Rights is, however, decade after decade and survey after survey, this simply is not the case. Most Americans who walk around talking about “I know my rights” and those who actually do know only have a vague notion of what they are.

Five days before the end of the Constitutional Convention, September 1787, George Mason asked that a committee be appointed to draft a bill of rights to serve as a preface to the Constitution stating:

 ”This would give great quiet to the people…and with the aid of the state declarations a bill might be prepared in a few hours…”

Unfortunately for Mr. Mason his request was denied and America’s first Constitution did not contain the Bill of Rights. George Mason who had written Virginia’s Declaration of Rights, left the Convention that instant quite upset.  At least until the ratification process began and the individual states realized how important the rights were in protecting them from the federal government.

If one were to look at a newspaper or listen to the radio or television, rarely if ever, do we not hear about civil liberties. All too often we read or hear about parents being angry with teachers or school boards for literature being offered to their children that could be construed as obscene; albeit, in the classroom or the library.

Consider a black immigrant from England taking his landlord to court because of the refusal to rent him an apartment? The inmate writing from his prison cell letters filled with protests and demanding a new trial. Or a steamed woman arrested on a minor charge lambasting the judge for what she considers ‘unreasonable and excessive bail.’

All of these stories, some more horrific and some less significant are part of the continuing struggle to maintain liberty and order in a democracy. With passion I refer to this notion has having  freedom and the rule of law.

This month’s theme for FFQF is obviously the Bill of Rights. We will explore the beginnings of these rights, how they grew with a look at the original meanings, and how they are today.