Newspapers / The Warren Record (Warrenton, … / Dec. 15, 1977, edition 1 / Page 11
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|f GJljp Harrett Eprnrd SECTION B Thursday, December 15, 1977 December 15, 1791 I 'Congress Shall Pass No Law' December 15 does not stand out in many people's minds as a particularly important day. April Fool's Day get quadruple the attention. However, this date, this day, though detached from people's minds, should nonetheless stay close to their hearts December 15 is Bill of Rights Day. On this same day in 1791, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution of America were ratified. These amendments became the backbone of American freedom. Their author, George Ma^.son, became its spirit, r Bill of Rights Day has largely gone unnoticed in the scene of American celebrations. Overshadowed by the whoop la of the Fourth of July, Bill of Rights Day remains a quiet day of appreciation for only a few freedom-minded citizens. Foremost among these patriots are the members of the National Society of Colonial Dames, a heritagebased organization dedicated to cultural, historical and social preservation. Through the Society's efforts, Gunston Hall-the Potomac home of George Mason-has been carefully restored and preserved. Today it is becoming a national shrine. Mason was actually the author of the Fairfax Resolves and Virginia Declaration of Rights, the first free Constitution of the United States. Being both friend and advisor to such notables as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Mason instilled in them much of their inspiration for the later Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776. Yet he has gained very little recognition from the majority of citizenry who today still enjoy the freedoms protected by the Bill of Rights. As one writer reminded. Mason lost his place among the signers of the Constitution because he refused to affix his signature to a constitution which promised no guarantees of personal freedom against the national government. As a result of Mason's determination and insistence, James Madison promised a Bill of Rights would be added to the document. This was done on Dec. 15, i. — known throughout the colonies and in England for his stance on liberty. In 1766, he protested the unfair Stamp Act imposed by the British crown and continued his defense of the colonists. Jefferson gave him the title "Penn of the Revolution." In 1776, he wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights, a brilliantly stated George Mason's colonial home on the Potomac, Gunston Hall, was occupied by the Mason family until the War Between the States. It was bought by the late Louis Hertle in 1912. Mrs. Hertle was a member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Her husband left the house and 556 acres of grounds to the Commonwealth of Virginia with the provision that it be administered by a Board of Regents chosen from the different State Societies of the Colonial Dames and approved by the Governor of Virginia. The restored home is open to the public each day, except Christmas, from 9:30 a. m. to 5 p. m. It is located 18 miles south of Washington on the Potomac River and may be reached via US 1 or Interstate 95. 1791 after previous attempts had failed. Mason had a long personal history of political involvement for personal freedoms. A foremost colonial authority on land grants and charters, the Virginian was document that was copied by seven of the newly formed states and was finally adopted as part of the final Constitution. It also became the basis of the 1789 French Declaration of the Rights of Man, of many from HISTORY'S SCRAPBOOK DATES AND EVENTS FROM YESTERYEARS December 16, 1773—Boston Tea Party—Boston patriots protest against British tax on the product by dumping tea into the water off a British vessel anchored in the harbor. December 17, 1903—Orville and Wilbur Wright make the first successful airplane flights in history as they soar over sand dunes near Kitty Hawk. North Carolina. December 18, 1865—Slavery is abolished in the United States by the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution. December 19, 1777—George Washington and his troops start their winter encampment at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. December 20, 1820—The state of Missouri levies a tax against bachelors. Unmarried men between the ages of 21 and 50 must pay a dollar a year. December 21, 1944—Horse racing is banned in the United States for the duration of World War II. December 22, 1775—The Continental naval fleet is actively organized under the command of Ezek Hopkins, a former New England sea captain. more written constitutions of the countries freed in the 19th and 20th centuries and of the Charter of the United Nations. In 1785, he wrote the Mount Vernon Compact calling for the Annapolis Convention which in turn led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Upon Patrick Henry's refusal to attend. Mason went in his stead as most experienced delegate. During the four months spent preparing the document, he spoke 128 times, contributing with his words, his ideas and his spirit. Yet when the Constitution came up for signing, Mason refused. "There is no declaration of rights," he said. At the Virginia Ratifying Convention of 1788, Mason again tried to amend the Constitution prior to adoption but was unsuccessful, he did secure a promise from George Washington to push personal guarateees and a promise from James Madison to introduce his amendments in to the first Constitutional Congress. In this he was successful. The first 10 amendments to the constitution were approved and sent to the states for ratification. The freedoms set forth by this 18th century statesman are freedoms basic to the democratic way of life: freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the right to assemble peaceably and to petition for redress of greivances. These intangible but inalienable rights took form in the mind of George Mason. They became a tangible foundation for true American freedom when the states ratified them as the federal Bill of Rights on Dec. 15, 1791. flrtidc fl Ctagress shall make no lau> respecting an establishment of religion, or yro~ hH*iting the fare eXerose thereof; or abridging Hy freedom of ?p«vch,or of fV>c press; or the right of tiy people peaceably io assemble, and to petition tiy (iowromenf jor a redrew </ grievances fflrtidc OIL 7*1 u>et 1-regulated militia, being necessary to tf* security of a free state, ttje right of Hk "people to keep and be<rr anno, shall not be infringed. flrticlc HE 9So soldier shall, in lime of -peace, be quartered m any house, without Hy consentof the owner, nor in time of war, butm a manner to be prescribed by law. fflrtidc W. Uhe right of Hk people td be secure in ilytr persons. houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seijures shall not be violated, and'no -uurranfe shall issue, butupon probable cause.supported by oath or affirmation, and porhcularly Jvecrib tug tip place to he searched, and Hk persons or things to be seized. flrtick ¥ Olo person shall be held to aneuvr for a capital, or otherwise in famous crime,unlew on a •presentment'or indictfncnt of a grand jury, except"in cases' arising in (Ik land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger, nor shall any person be subject for tiy eame offense to be Jun'ce put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor ?Mt be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against" himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or propertg,wili>outduc process of law; nor ohaJI private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. flrticlcVJ o Jn all criminal prosecutions tiy accused shall enjoy tiy right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of tiy state and district'wlyrein tiy crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and tO be informed of tiy nature and cause of tiy accusation; to he confronted ""with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for hi* defense. fflrtidc Ml. Sn suits at'eommon law, wlyre the value in controversy shall a&eedluKntv dollars, tiy rigi)t of trial by jury shall be preserved.and no (act tried bv a jury shall be otherwise w-oiamined in any court of the United States, than accort>ing to tiy rules of tiy common law. flrtidcMl . Gxtassive bail shall not be required,nor excessive fines imposed^iorcruel and unusual punishments inflicted. flrticta «. T>Jy enumeration in tiy (Ponstitution.ofcertain righ^haJi not be construed Id deny or disparage otlyrs retained by tiy people. Article 51 « ^ly powers notdclegated to the United states by the institution, nor prohibited by ttto tiy states, are reserved to tiy states respectively, or to tiy people.
The Warren Record (Warrenton, N.C.)
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Dec. 15, 1977, edition 1
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