Saturday, June 11, 2016

Washington and Jefferson Might Want Us to Change the Constitution

   If you're thinking we should hold a modern-day constitutional convention, or go about amending the Constitution in some other manner, I know a couple guys who might agree with you -- George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. You might want to call them to the witness stand. Seems they were of the opinion the day would come that the venerable document so precious to us all would need to be tweaked.
  I give you their words, here for you to read.
  First, let's hear from Washington:
  "The warmest friends and the best supports the constitution has do not contend that it is free from imperfections; but they found them unavoidable, and are sensible, if evil is to likely to arise therefrom, the remedy must come hereafter, for in the present moment it is not to be obtained; and, as there is a constitutional door open for it, I think the people (for it is with them to judge), can, as they will have the advantage of experience on their side, decide with as much propriety on the alterations and amendments which are necessary, as ourselves. I do not think we are more inspired, have more wisdom, or posses more virtue, than those who will come after us."
  And, now let us hear from Jefferson:
  "I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."

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