Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Impeach George W. Bush -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: bearshark who wrote (15878)	10/22/2002 10:48:25 AM
From: jttmab	Respond to of 93284

I've seen it. I've even written the Archives an e-mail about that page...suggesting that they should include Madison's address to Congress when he submitted the Bill of Rights for consideration. Since it contains thoughts that are not consistent with the conventional wisdom. It appears they haven't taken the suggestion to heart. As perhaps a matter of interest I've been trying out the ol' scanner and OCR software to get the document in electonic form; so far the OCR software hasn't been doing well interpreting the two column format, but I just figured out how to get around it.... Madison's address starts out.... THIS DAY, MR. SPEAKER, is the day assigned for taking into consideration the subject of amendments to the Constitution. As I considered myself bound in honor and in duty to do what I have done on this subject, I shall proceed to bring the amendments before you as soon as possible and advocate them until they shall be finally adopted or rejected by a constitutional majority of this House. With a view of drawing your attention to this important object, I shall move that this House do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole on the state of the Union; by which an opportunity will be given to bring forward some propositions which I have strong hopes will meet with the unanimous approbation of this House after the fullest discussion and most serious regard. When I first hinted to the House my intention of calling their deliberations to this object, I mentioned the pressure of other important subjects, and submitted the propriety of postponing this till the more urgent business was dispatched; but finding that business not dispatched when the order of the day for considering amendments arrived, I thought it a good reason for a further delay; I moved the postponement accordingly. I am sorry the same reason exists in some degree, but it operates with less force when it is considered that it is not now proposed to enter into a full and minute discussion of every part of the subject but merely to bring it before the House, that our constituents may see we pay a proper attention to a subject they have much at heart; and if it does not give that full gratification which is to be wished, they will discover that it proceeds from the urgency of business of a very important nature. But if we continue to postpone from time to time, and refuse to let the subject come into view, it may occasion suspicions which, though not well founded, may tend to inflame or prejudice the public mind against our decisions. They may think we are not sincere in our desire to incorporate such amendments in the Constitution as will secure those rights, which they consider as not sufficiently guarded. The applications for amendments come from a very respectable number of our constituents, and it is certainly proper for Congress to consider the subject in order to quiet that anxiety which prevails in the public mind. Indeed, I think it would have been of advantage to the government if it had been practicable to have made some propositions for amendments the first business we entered upon; it would have stifled the voice of complaint, and made friends of many who doubted the merits of the Constitution. Our future measures would then have been more generally agreeably supported; but the justifiable anxiety to put the government into operation prevented that; it, therefore, remains for us to take it up as soon as possible, I wish, then, to commence the consideration at the present moment; I hold it to be my duty to unfold my ideas, and explain myself to the House in some form or other without delay. I only wish to introduce the great work, and, as I said before, I do not expect it will be decided immediately; but if some step is taken in the business, it will give reason to believe that we may come to a final result. This will inspire a reasonable hope in the advocates for amendments, that full justice will be done to the important subject; and I have reason to believe their expectation will not be defeated. I hope the House will not decline my motion for going into a committee. . . .