The Short ConstitutionWade, Martin J. (Martin Joseph)
History
The Short Constitution
Wade, Martin J. (Martin Joseph)
United States. Constitution
We like the term “America” better than “the United States”. “The United
States” suggests boundaries, codes, and constitutions. “America” suggests
all these and then it suggests _spirit_. There _is_ such a thing as
“Americanism”. It includes all there is of information relating to our
country; but it also has a soul “Americanism” relates to democracy, into
which enter all the ideals, all the impulses and emotions of men, women,
and children. “Americanism” teaches not only the relation of the States to
the National government, and the relation of citizens to both the State
and the National government, but it also teaches the relation of men,
women, and children to each other.
This is a government by the people, and therefore we must understand the
people in order that we, the people, may govern.
To arouse patriotism and loyalty we must do more than develop the powers
of the mind, do more than expand the field of knowledge. We must inspire
in the heart faith, confidence, and love. Men must not only learn how to
govern, but they must learn how to be governed. We must not only learn to
command, but also to obey. Our spirits must be so molded that we can
submit to duly constituted authority, submission to which is the most
lofty expression of American patriotism.
Submission to authority in America is submission to law, for no man in
this country has any authority to command or direct a fellowman, except as
the law made by the people vests him with such authority.
To inspire devotion to our country we must arouse in the hearts of our
people a sense of gratitude for the blessings which come to us because we
live in free America, gratitude for the rights and liberties which we
possess, which are protected by the guaranties of a written Constitution
adopted by the people themselves.
There is only one way in which the average person may be brought to see
what America has done for him, and that is by contrasting the rights,
privileges, and opportunities which he has with those possessed by others
in the same walk of life before the Constitution became the bulwark of the
people against injustice and wrong.
The aim of “The Short Constitution” is to present, in a form as simple as
possible, a definite knowledge of all the personal guaranties of the
Constitution, with an explanation of what they mean, and what they have
done in the advancement of human happiness; and a brief explanation of the
machinery of government provided by the Constitution.
Everyone who understands human nature will admit that to mold the spirit,
to inspire faith, and to excite gratitude training must begin in
childhood. The child must learn:
(a) What authority means.
(b) The source of authority.
(c) In whom authority rests: in the parent, in the teacher, and in
public officers selected by the people to enforce the authority of
the community, the State, and of the Nation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account