By Mark Archibald
The long-term success of the United States of America was far from certain during the summer of 1787 During those formative months’, delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies met in what would come to be known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Their task was to create and formalize a document which would govern our fledgling nation.
It wasn’t easy.
Members of the James Blair House of the Daughters of the American Revolution gathered to celebrate the Constitution and learn more about the process that led to its ratification. The program was hosted by the Kinsloe House, last Wednesday.
Corsicana Mayor Joe Hill read a proclamation declaring last week, Constitution Week, in the City of Corsicana.
Mayor Hill encouraged all to reflect on the rights which are protected by the Constitution along with the responsibilities that the document continues to ask of its citizens.
The keynote speaker was University of Texas at Arlington Political Science Professor, Michael Farris.
During his remarks Farris, highlighted a few of the perspectives, debates are arguments which shaped a document which became a cornerstone of democracy and a beacon of freedom for those around the world.
The 55 delegates, from 12 of the 13 colonies certainly had a difficult task, the luminaries largely sequestered themselves inside what would later be known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Hammering out the details in our founding document was only part of the struggle on the path toward ratification.
James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton wrote a series of essays known as the Federalist Papers which advocated for the passage of the Constitution.
There were also authors published in various newspapers who supported a limited national government.
The Constitution was ratified in June, 1788, just over a year after the Constitutional convention convened
Farris also discussed instances that the concerns voiced by convention’s delegates in 1787 continue to echo today including separation of powers, and role of political parties.
Farris paraphrased the famous words of Ben Franklin, who was asked if we had a republic or a Monarchy.
Franklin said “A Republic if we can keep it.”
Farris paraphrased Frankin, saying “after all these years we still have a Republic and we are still fighting to keep it.”
The James Blair House of the Daughters of the American Revolution is located in Corsicana and meets on the second Wednesday of each month from September through May.
Social Media
Communication
Bookmarking
Developer
Entertainment
Academic
Finance
Lifestyle
About Author
Discover more from THE NAVCO CHRONICLE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.