While watching and listening to elected officials who are opponents of an Article V convention decry it -- most recently in the Idaho House -- one may be forgiven for thinking that the term March Madness has a different connotation in state capitols.
Wildly audacious scenarios about shredding the Bill of Rights in convention, jaw-dropping ignorance of the basic principles of constitutional law, and the invocation of long-debunked canards about "opening up the Constitution" to ruin seem to be the utterly predictable currency of our opponents.
They are unable to fathom or tolerate the notion of gathering for a conversation out of which may come amendments to be presented to the states for their consideration that will reinforce the foundations of limited government envisioned for us.
They indicate with their words and actions that they are unwilling to perform the role envisioned for them by the Founders -- to move to check the federal government when it gets out of hand.
Speaking of the Founders, as delegates to the 1787 convention in Philadelphia came to impasse after impasse concerning the elimination of the Articles of Confederation versus holding to the one-state, one-vote arrangement of the Articles -- and the general question of representation -- it seemed to some in attendance that the proceedings would drag interminably.
In May of that year, the man who would later become responsible for the most pertinent clause of Article V of the Constitution expressed his frustration to his family back in Virginia:
"It is impossible to judge," Virginia delegate George Mason wrote, "how long we shall be detained here, but from present appearances I fear until July, if not later."
The next month, Mason wrote to push his estimate out further.
"It is impossible to judge," he repeated, "when the business will be finished, most probably not before August. Festina lente may well be called our motto."
Mason's allusion to the Latin phrase, which means "Make haste slowly," was used to express his impatience and frustration, but the phrase is perhaps an apt motto for all of us as we redouble our efforts to educate and persuade state representatives and senators to call an Article V convention.
Everyone associated with the Convention of States movement recognizes the urgency of the moment and the need for action. We recognize the absolute necessity of acting within the bounds established by Mason and his colleagues. That means acting in an orderly, deliberate fashion that adheres to the Constitution, expressing fidelity to the resolutions that have passed muster in 19 state legislatures thus far.
What we are attempting is no small thing. It takes time. There have been -- and will be -- exhilarating wins and disappointing losses. That is the nature of politics.
Gathering the necessary number of states to agree to call an Article V convention is a long struggle that requires patience and perseverance in the face of vociferously unreasonable opposition. While we work with the urgency that is required, we must remember that the process is a grind and can sometimes be overwhelmingly discouraging.
But we must have faith that we will overcome the madness that is often exhibited by our opponents and carry the day, no matter how long it takes. In the words of the poet Sophocles: "One must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day has been."
We continue to strive, to fight, and work to see that the endeavors of our Founders were not in vain -- Festina lente -- and win a great victory for our republic and its future.
