Steve Merlo: Why Americans are a different breed
| Thursday, Jul 30 2009 09:24 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Jul 30 2009 09:27 PM
The clip-clop of horse's hooves on Philadelphia cobblestone announced the last expected delegate in December of 1791. The old man inside the carriage stiffly climbed down and moved inside, removing his tri-corner hat, scarf and heavy coat. The others noticed, nodding their heads in greeting, but only one came forward.
"John! We feared you would not make it."
"Only by the grace of God. The infernal weather..."
"Yes, most of us fought the same, but we are all here now. We are ready, are we not?" Thomas Jefferson raised an eyebrow at the latest arrival, silently asking that if not, then why was he here?
"I think so. I have read George Mason's writings so many times I can relate them in my sleep. I am not totally convinced, though, Thomas. I would like a moment with you before we handle this important event."
"If you are unsure, John, then we must converse. I am all ears." Jefferson draped an arm over his friend's shoulders, bending over so they could talk privately.
"I am puzzled, Thomas. Our government is but a fledgling, and our nation seems to be on the right path with our governing body, so tell me why you deem it necessary to alter our rules?"
"John, we are not here to change our Constitution. We are here to ensure our government remains true to our design. The future may bring things beyond our comprehension, so we must guarantee that our novel ideas of self government never change."
"I understand, Thomas. The strong wording has me confused."
"This is the land of free men, Sir. What we do here today will merely put into iron-written words how we feel about our freedoms."
"But Thomas, ten changes! And what is this about free speech, and guns? Can they not be the instruments of our own demise?"
"Certainly, but we, the elected, must have controls."
"And end up at the whipping post for our mistakes, or worse? We will make mistakes, will we not?"
"Of course, but are you not placing the cart before the horse? Andrew Hamilton and his Federalist Papers have blinded you from our original intentions. We, the People, do not want a government directing us with its power as did the King's. We want to direct the government with our own power, lest it grows too large. Our basic tenet is to be self-ruled, John, but we cannot achieve this without binding rules guaranteeing our respective position to our own officials."
"A noble idea, Thomas, but who among us would dare forget our positions of trust? We are the sworn emissaries of those who have elected us. Surely, there are no criminals among us."
"Ah, but someday, somewhere, there may be! Look at the world's history and its tyrants," Jefferson argued.
"But is that not why we escaped the clutches and power of the King?"
"John, our first amendment simply authorizes peaceful public dissent, so the People can be forewarned of any governmental failings. I visualize a time when our nation may grow so large that government has overly expanded. I say it must remain contained."
"Fine, but what about the guns? Why allow the people to be armed? Is not the presence of our military enough?"
"And live under government-imposed martial law? No, John, our second amendment will dissuade elected officials from ruling the free people of our nation. Without the guns, we cannot protect the first amendment, or any of the others. That is our premise, if we are to tether this strange beast we have created."
"I have to say that you and Mr. Mason are the strange beasts, Thomas. Your ideas seem so primitive. We are civilized men -- what you are implying insults sane men everywhere -- that elected officials may someday attempt to steal our God-given rights. I cannot fathom something so far-fetched."
"I understand, Sir, but we must ensure the most basic of God-given and humanitarian rights despite that. We must guarantee those rights in writing, put them where they may never be misconstrued by anyone."
"I do not know, Thomas..."
"I tell you, John, these amendments are more important than either of us will know in our lifetimes. Certainly, no man here would ever stoop to breaking any laws, but we must be alert should someone dishonorable attempt to later in our history. Our freedoms will depend on every man's concerns for his own liberty...today or tomorrow."
"Thomas, I am probably just afraid, but I do want our experiment to survive, to grow into something universally special. Maybe you are right, but only time will tell."
"Then will you sign?"
"My constituents have bade me to. Yes, Thomas, I will sign, but I do with some reservation."
"My friend, it is the right path and will be a fine Christmas gift for our country. Come, the others wait impatiently for us."
So, on that special day, the flourished signatures of all the patriots present sealed the authorization to adopt and ratify the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America. At long last, the task of creating our new nation's superstructure was completed. The Land of the Free, with Liberty and Justice for All, was trully born and sent whirling through the pages of history.
Editor's note: These are Steve Merlo's opinions, and not necessarily The Californian's. His column appears every Friday. Write him at merloworms @bak.rr.com.
