“Before the formation of the Constitution, the Declaration was received  and  ratified  by  all  the  States  in  the  Union  and  has *never*  been  disannulled.” ²   –    Samuel  Adams, Father of the American Revolution

“[The Constitution] is but the body and the letter of which the former is the thought and the spirit, and it is always safe to read the letter of the constitution in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence.” ³  – U.S. Supreme Court

The Framers’ Formula for Lasting Freedom

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”⁴

The Declaration of Independence includes four essential principles that hold our freedom firmly in place:

Self-evident Truths & Endowed by Our Creator

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness.… The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them.”⁵

– George Washington

⁶

“Mr. President, the small progress we have made after four or five weeks close attendance & continual reasonings with each other— our different sentiments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes and ayes, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human Understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of Government, and examined the different forms of those Republics which having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances.”

“In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings?

In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible to danger, we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor… [H]ave we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth–that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?

We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writing, that ‘except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel…”
I therefore beg leave to move–that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business…” ⁷

– Benjamin Franklin, Declaration and Constitution Signer

“The real wonder is that the Constitutional Convention overcame so many difficulties. And to overcome them with so much agreement was as unprecedented as it was unexpected. It is impossible for the pious man not to recognize in it a finger of that Almighty Hand which was so frequently extended to us in the critical stages of the Revolution.”⁸

– James Madison, Father of the Constitution

“For my own part, I sincerely esteem a system which, without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests.”⁹

– Alexander Hamilton, Constitution Signer & co-
author of the Federalist Papers

“As to my sentiments with respect to the new Constitution, it appears to me little short of a miracle. It demonstrates as visibly the finger of Providence as any possible event in the course of human affairs can ever designate it.”¹⁰

– George Washington, Constitution Signer &
Presiding Officer of the Convention

The Pursuit of Happiness

“A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor bread it has earned – this is the sum of good government.”¹¹

– Thomas Jefferson

¹²

They were soon exporting corn and thriving.

“This had very good success; for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted, than otherwise would have been; by any means the Governor or any other could use, and saved him a great deal of trouble, and gave far better content.”¹³

– Gov. William Bradford

 

NOTE: Remember all this when we get to the Commerce Clause in Article 1, Section 8!

Consent of the Governed

“It is a great mistake to suppose that the paper we are to propose will govern the United States. It is the men whom it will bring into the Government and interest in maintaining it that is to govern them. The paper will only mark out the mode and the form. Men are the substance and must do the business.”¹⁴

– John Francis Mercer, delegate to Constitutional Convention

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”

– George Washington

Assignments:

In your own words, why is it important to study the Declaration of Independence in a class on the Constitution?

Using the full text of both documents in Appendix C and E of this book, compare Declaration grievance #3 to Article 1, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution. Then find the Clause in the Constitution that is connected to the following Grievances in the Declaration:

“As I have traveled across the country, I have been astounded just how many of our fellow citizens feel strongly about their constitutional rights but have no idea what they are, or for that matter, what the Constitution says. I am not suggesting that they become Constitutional scholars — whatever that means. I am suggesting, however, that if one feels strongly about his or her rights, it does make sense to know generally what the Constitution says about them. It is at least as easy to understand as a cell phone contract — and vastly more important.”¹⁵

– Clarence Thomas, U.S. Supreme Court Justice

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, 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, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

– Preamble to the Constitution

General Welfare: “Exemption from any unusual evil or calamity; the enjoyment of peace and prosperity, or the ordinary blessings of society and civil government; applied to states.” (emphasis added)

– Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

*The 1800 rematch election between Adams and Jefferson also created confusion when the old process created a tie in the electoral college between Jefferson and his running mate Aaron Burr due to there being no distinction between electoral votes cast for President or Vice-President. The tie threw the election to Congress, which finally chose Jefferson after several dozen ballots.

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