PHILADELPHIA TIMES

The Constitution: A New Nation’s Governmental Experiment

NEW COMPROMISES AT CONSTITUTIONAL The idea of a constitution is a complete outrage

CONVENTION to me and my kinfolk. Anyone that believes in this is an
By Thomas Aderall utter disgrace. The power belongs to our states
individually and not someone else that we have never
met before in our life time. As a strong Anti-Federalist, I
believe we ought to hold our own destiny and run things
the way we want them not rely on someone else to take
advantage of our statehood and society.
-Anti-Federalist: Johnathan Edwards
The idea of a constitution is absolutely brilliant.
We finally can all have our rights as American citizens
that we have forever fought for against England. We can
no longer be harmed by any foreign and domestic
enemies. Also, as a unified group, we, as American
citizens, will feel no need to harm one another. This is
such an enlightening movement, I support this all the
“A well-instructed people alone can be way and appreciate the efforts of each other. As
permanently a free people.” -James Madison compared to the Articles of Confederation, this will give
While amidst the Constitutional Convention, I help the government to have over seeing power over
had the pleasure of seeing wonderful arguments everyone so that we are all equally treated and no one is
between our beloved legislature of representatives. Two given more opportunities than others.
main goals were held up: adjusting the rights and -Federalist: Dr. Gordon Guanan
regulations of slavery and giving “equal” representation
to all members of society.
With slavery being a growing issue, our leaders
found it necessary to fix the rights of slaves. James
Wilson and Roger Sherman had the idea of the Three-
Fifths Compromise. This would allow slaves to count as
3/5 a person and therefore giving them some sort of
recognition in society. This angered slave owners they
were now forced to pay tax for each of the slaves.
The Great Compromise was made, combining
the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. This gave each state
the right to two representatives in Congress and a
number of representatives based off of population in the
House of Representatives. This will help to unify the
states in a way that we will all be equal. Everyone is
receiving a proper amount based off of what they have. “History will teach us that the former has been
No one is being mistreated. This is very pleasing as we found a much more certain road to the introduction
all know what England did to us in their Parliament of despotism than the latter, and that of those men
years ago. who have overturned the liberties of republics, the
greatest number have begun their career by paying
an obsequious court to the people; commencing
demagogues, and ending tyrants.”
– Alexander Hamilton

Constitutional Outline
EDITOIALS By Jack London
 PHILADELPHIA TIMES
The Constitution: A New Nation’s Governmental Experiment

By Martin West
Opponents of the Bill of Rights felt that the inclusion of
the amendments was not necessary, as they could be
added to the constitution if necessary in the future.
While the Anti-Federalist announced that in order to
stop a “future government” from pressing its people this
Bill was necessary, to insure the rights of the people.
After much argument on December 15, 1791 the Bill of
Rights came into effect.

As a new, independent country, our new focus as

Americans has been to set our own standards of living, law,
and disobedience of one another. Now, taking a step over our
mother land of England, we have a written law we now will
know as the Constitution. I had the privilege of scanning over
it after the meeting. To sum it all up, we will now have three
branches of government. The Legislative Branch will contain
representatives of each state. The Executive Branch will be
elected officials such as our President and his helpers. Finally,
the Judiciary Branch will be our court system in which will
“Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those
make sure everyone adheres by all rules and regulations of few be well tried before you give them your
our society. Checks and balances will make sure all of our confidence.” - George Washington
leaders as well as everyday citizens are treated fairly and just. Visit our sponsors at:
Also, all states will honor the Constitution first and then http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/billofrightsintro.htm
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respect the laws of the others states as well. This will help to http://www.bing.com/images/search?
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http://www.ushistory.org/documents/amendments.htm#amend01
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Amendments to the Constitution: The Bill of

Rights