Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The Bill Of Rights...Revisited !!


From time to time, we should stop and reflect on just how far we have come since these rights were written!

I know that a lot of you have a copy either on your person...or hanging on your wall! That's a good thing. However, we still need to take the time to read them again. Many times!

Some of these rights are memorized, many are quoted often, and all are equally important! But besides the important words and the ideas behind the Bill of Rights, there is also a history that we should remember.

It cost a great deal for our founding Fathers to bring us these rights! Much endless discussion, sleepless nights, probably an unbelievable amount of soul searching about whether or not all the basic needs were addressed. It couldn't have been easy, and it's important that we, as a people, never take them for granted!


The Preamble to The Bill of Rights

Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights."

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Amendments 11-27
Note: The capitalization and punctuation in this version is from the enrolled original of the Joint Resolution of Congress proposing the Bill of Rights, which is on permanent display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.

After all of these years, this still brings a lump to my throat and a feeling of pride to my heart! I can only hope that our children, and their children will continue to hold dear the ideas put forth in this endeavor so long ago!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit in the kitchen for a while! OK?

GOD BLESS AMERICA !

17 comments:

xox-Missi Mi-xox said...

Hiya Jim ... good to see you are well. Just wanted to say hi and let you know Im still in the background Have new blog address Im trying to find the motivation to keep up with, slowly slowly.

Keep smiling
xox-Missi-xox

Anonymous said...

How about that Ninth Amendment! It shows that all rights reside with the people, not just those rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights. And the Tenth Amendment shows that most of the power resides with the people.

That's why I carry a rifle. Always have, always will. Something about rights and power.

Mountain rifleman

JoJo said...

Good Morning My Special One,
Great post this morning for some of us who do not have a copy. With your permission I will print and now have a copy.
Bringing over a pot of fresh ground this morning.

Bob from Athens said...

I beleive that the reason that communism, etc all gained total power over their citizens is that they totally suppressed the freedom of speech, only allowing their point of view be heard. I agree with you completely, all views need to be heard. I absolutely believe that doing that one thing is the foundation of keeping our country free. Yes all of the other rights are also important, but with out freedom of speech and being able to express our own personal thoughts, how do we know if the other rights are still in effect or not.

Gen-IL Homesteader said...

Amen! A beautiful read on a beautiful morning!

Momlady said...

I'm beginning to believe that perhaps each member of Congress should read these amendments (some for the first time, I think, unfortunately). The President also.
They should pay particular attention to the First.
Have a scrumptious day.

Anonymous said...

I can't add much to what Momlady said except that Congress,Senate, and President should honor ALL of them.

Good coffee.

See Ya

Rae said...

Good morning my wonderful friend. I popped in today hoping the overhead shots from yesterday had cleared. Thanks for posting this. I am a card carrying, certified, dyed in the wool, proud American and I loved reading this. I will never get tired of it.
For the record - your blog is awesome. Keep up the good work. Post away my friend and say it as you see it ♥

HermitJim said...

Hey Missi...
So glad to see you again! I had just about given up on you!

Glad to see you getting into a new blog address, and glad you could drop by today as well! Thanks...!


Hey Mountain Rifleman...
It oes make us stop and realie just how much power we, the people, should have in the running of our country!

Hey, I appreciate the visit this morning, my friend!


Hey JoJo...
Sweetie, if you want a copy, I'll see if I can find you a copy suitable for framing! Of course you can copy these here...after all, the Rights belong to all the people!

I sure am glad you could come over today!


Hey Bob...
Without a doubt, the freedom of speech is an important tool and very strong right for all to use! When that starts to be suppressed, then we know that something bad is just around the corner!

I am all in favor of this important document being read everyday...and at least read once, OUT LOUD, during the time that Congress is in session! You know, just so they don't forget who is really in control!

Hey, I really appreciate you taking the time to come by today!


Hey Gen...
I'm glad you found it a good read this morning, my friend!

Thank you so much for the visit today!


Hey Momlady...
I couldn't agree with you more! Wouldn't it be nice if that happened? Never will, but it would be nice!

My friend, I sure do appreciate you coming by today!


Hey Tony...
You know that is exactly how I feel, my brother!

Goo luck on the continuing land hunt...and thank you for coming by today!


Hey Rae...
I do appreciate all of the kind words this morning! I'm always glad to see you, and I have never had a doubt that you were a member of the group that still enjoys the reading of words like these!

I'm proud to have you as a friend and fellow flag waver!

Thank you so much for coming by today, Rae!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jim, I know its been a while since commenting. I wanted you to know Ive been dropping in and want to thankyou for posting this about the Bill of Rights! Some people want us to believe its unpatriotic to assert your rights against those who try to get you to wave them. But it is obvious that it is UNAMERICAN TO TRY TO GET SOMEONE TO GIVE UP THEIR RIGHTS. Why do the police educate their employees on the best ways to get someone to wave their rights? They should just try to work with them.

Just my opinion.

HermitJim said...

Hey OGT...
Right you are about not having to give up ANY of our rights! When they are forcably taken, then there is a big problem faced by the takers!

I do appreciate you coming by today, buddy!

Kyddryn said...

Mister Hermit, sir...you rock! I DO have a copy...several, in fact...and read it at least once a year. Thanks for the reminder.

Shade and Sweetwater,
K (No, you can't have my rights, I'm not finished with them yet.)

HermitJim said...

Hey K...
somehow I just knew that you and Momlady would have a copy or two around!

Believe me, no one in there right mind would ever think of trying to take away your rights! If they do, and get out of hand...just give me a call and I'll take care of the problem for ya!

I really appreciate you coming by today, girl!

Mechanic in Illinois said...

To Bob from Athens, I think you forgot about the 2nd Amendment. That's the reason this country is still what it is. Without the 2nd,none of the other amendments mean anything. Just ask the UN or Uncle Sugar. The 2nd is why we aren't a Third World Nation yet. God ,Guts ,and Guns keep us free.

HermitJim said...

Hey Mechanic...
Guess there is a reason that these two amendents where one and two on the list! Shows what the Founding Fathers were thinking hard about when they were creating this wonderful document for us!

Thanks so much for coming by today!

tjbbpgobIII said...

In my opinion A4 has been ground up to nothing, 5,9,and 10 are slowly going by the wayside.

Unknown said...

HJ was you around during the Joe MCCarthy era.An if so do you not see the similarity with the present.That era caused the creation of the term McCarthyism which is present in our goverment today.