The Short ConstitutionWade, Martin J. (Martin Joseph)
History
The Short Constitution
Wade, Martin J. (Martin Joseph)
United States. Constitution
(d) How the authority of the people, the community, the State, and
the Nation is expressed through laws which are nothing but rules
of human conduct.
(e) How we should respect authority and submit to authority.
(f) How and by whom those who will not yield obedience to
authority out of respect will be compelled to obey by punishment.
We have adopted a new method of presenting this subject. In this country
authority is largely administered through the courts. Judges of the courts
construe the Constitution and the laws; and, generally with the aid of a
jury, determine rights and wrongs, and enforce justice through their
judgments and decrees.
We therefore feel that the subject “Americanism”, presented through the
spoken word of a judge, will better gain and hold the attention of the
pupil than in any other way. We have the teacher invite Judge Garland to
deliver a series of “Talks” to the pupils, which are herein presented. By
this direct method greater freedom of expression is permitted and with the
aid of notes greater brevity is possible. In these “Talks” considerable
apparent repetition will appear. This is essential to thorough
understanding. Without reiteration it is impossible to accomplish our
purpose which is not only to enlighten, but to inspire.
Our endeavor is to present the subject not from the standpoint of the
government, but from the standpoint of the people. The _rights of the
people_ are of first importance in a Nation where men, women, and children
are free. The State and the Nation have no rights except those given them
by the people. Strictly speaking the Nation and the States have no
“rights” but only the duty to exercise certain powers in the protection of
the liberties of the people.
In America the rights of the people are supreme. The state exists for man,
not man for the state.
To gain substantial results we must rely largely upon the industry and
enthusiasm of the instructors. We are sure they will realize that in the
“upbuilding of the spirit” a proper atmosphere must be created and
maintained. Doctor Steiner wisely said, “Religion cannot be taught, it
must be caught”. In other words religion is of the spirit; so is
patriotism. _Always bear in mind that in presenting the Constitution we
are teaching human rights under the Constitution._
It is more than a century since the Constitution was ratified, and, so far
as we have knowledge, this is the first direct attempt to translate its
guaranties into the language of the ordinary man, woman, and child. We
demand respect for, and loyalty to the Constitution, but the truth is that
the ordinary citizen has no knowledge of the relation of the Constitution
to his life or to the life of his children.
THE AUTHORS
I. THE JUDGE’S FIRST TALK
Reasons For The Study Of The Constitution Of The United States
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