The Preamble is the opening statement to our United States Constitution, and it explains the reasons why the Framers of the Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation with a republic.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
The words “We The People” means all the citizens of the United States of America. Even though the Constitution was written up by some of the most well-educated men of the new country, the power given under the Constitution was derived from all American citizens.
The words “in order to form a more perfect union” meant that the previous government, based upon the Articles of Confederation, were very limited and weak in squelching domestic chaos. The Framers felt that they were making a system of government that would be a better way to govern the country while providing the protection for our individual liberties.
The words “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” can be understood by looking back in time.
First, they wanted to ensure they would have justice under the new Constitution. One of the main reasons why the Constitutional Convention was held was because of Shays’ Rebellion. This was an armed uprising of farmers in Massachusetts against the state for demands to repay war debts, high taxes and property seizures, even though many were army veterans who had never received pay for their wartime service.
Citizens were concerned about the inability to “ensure domestic tranquillity” within the country’s borders.
The words “provide for common defense” meant our Framers understood the states were rightfully concerned about the dangers from foreign force and influence. They felt Union provided the best security from such foreign forces. Federalist #2 discusses the advantages of a unified government over separate sovereignties and how an undivided country enforces laws with more efficiency, resolves conflicts, and gives better protection from foreign influences.
“Promote the General Welfare” are words that are too often taken out of context. The Founders made it clear that the general welfare was only referring to specifically enumerated powers granted within the Constitution. Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, and the Federalist Papers concur on this point: all those powers that people claim the general welfare encompasses (education, helping the poor, the environment, business regulations, etc.) should fall on the state or local government where the power and authority belong to the people themselves.
“Secure the Blessings of Liberty” means to hold onto our liberty. According to the Constitution, it is the government's job to follow the Constitution and secure the blessings of liberty for the people to protect their right as citizens of this nation. However, when the government fails to secure the blessings of liberty, it is the people's duty to do so.
That is where Convention of States steps in. We are securing the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.
There are no valid excuses for not standing united against the federal government.
Join us.
