Constitution Day 2003 Celebrates: 216Th Anniversary of the 1787 Signing

Original Intent Volume 4, Issue 2—Oct. 2003 Original Intent is published quarterly by The NH Center for Constitutional Studies, Inc.— PO Box 7104 — Nashua, NH, 03060 Constitution Day 2003 Celebrates: 216th Anniversary of the 1787 Signing The New Hampshire Center for Constitutional Studies Newsletter CHAIRMAN’S CORNER Let’s Keep The Constitution! “ Miracles do not clus- ter. Hold on to the Con- stitution of the United States of America and the republic for which it stands. – What has hap- pened once in six thou- sand years may never happen again. Hold on Dianne Gilbert to your Constitution, for if the American Constitution shall fail there will be anar- chy throughout the world.” 1 Secretary Jackson, Langdon, Washington, Hamilton, Madison, Gilman, and Franklin, The American political system is unique Framers of the Constitution, look on as New Hampshire Governor Craig Benson proclaims September 17, 2003 Constitution Day. Governor Benson addressed the guests of the New in the way the Constitution fragments Hampshire Center for Constitutional Studies at their 7th annual commemoration honoring the power and keeps it from concentrating in 216th anniversary of the 1787 signing of the United States Constitution. the hands of one person, group, depart- ment, party or branch of government. The Venerate NHCCS Board Member Dies Suddenly Framers’ understood the abuses inherent In Memory of George Murch III—Patriot, Constitutionalist– Board Member to concentrated political power; so they designed a decentralized system of gov- George Murch III, Board member, New Constitution; he believed in America; he was ernment, built upon time-tested doctrines, Hampshire Center for Constitutional Stud- a true patriot as proven by his long military processes and institutions, to check man’s ies, died September 13, 2003 in Nashua, service. He was a retired U.S. Army Sergeant. penchant for controlling other men and to NH. The NHCCS Board and all that knew In civilian life, George was employed by make it difficult for a single interest to im- George are sorrowed over his passing; he Digital Equipment Corporation. He was very pose their will over an entire nation. was to be an integral part of the organiza- active in politics as a Board member of the Foolish Elitism tion’s Constitution Day celebration, among Nashua Taxpayers Assoc. and as an elected Indeed, it is the want of political power other things, portraying John Langdon, a official serving one term in the NH House of that leads some to foolishly claim that the NH signer of the U.S. Constitution. Representatives. Constitution is old and out of date; that the George loved teaching American history George will be remembered for his skill world has moved beyond the philosophies through his portrayals of America’s found- with the written word, his quick wit and th of our 18 century forebears. They claim ing fathers. Just two weeks prior to his wonderful sense of humor. Above all, he will that the time-tested, proven principles death, George was a guest on a local radio be remembered for his love of country and for upon which the Constitution rests are no show, appearing as NH Framer John Lang- the sacrifices he was willing to make for it. longer relevant to a self-governing society don dressed in 18th century clothing to George leaves his wife Elfrieda, three sons, such as ours. They argue that the Constitu- make his interviewers more aware of their a daughter and several grandchildren. tion has accomplished what it was de- NH heritage. George’s repertoire included NHCCS dedicates this issue of Original In- signed to do and even did it well. But reenactments of John Adams and John tent in his memory. Gone but not forgotten. now, its time is up; America must move Langdon. _Harry Fellbaum on under some other plan of government. He believed in the genius of the U.S. So, it would appear that if this group of wild eyed, social and political reformers were to prevail – and they have in too What The Founders Would Say... many instances – the Framers’ plan of “Those people who are not governed by GOD will be ruled by tyrants.” _William Penn government would be thrown into the dust bin of history. “The God Who gave us life gave us liberty- can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of GOD?” (Continued on page 4 - Chairman’s Corner) _Thomas Jefferson—Inscribed on the Jefferson Memorial– Washington, DC This newsletter is made possible through the generosity of its readers. If you find Original Intent worthy of your time, we hope you would find it worthy of your financial support. Donations should be made payable to: NHCCS Mail to: P.O. Box 7104, Nashua, NH 03060. Donations may also be made via VISA or Mastercard by calling NHCCS at: 603-679-1320. Vol4Iss2E.pub Saturday, January 31, 2004 10:07 page 1 Composite Page 2 Original Intent Biographical Sketch: John Jay ~ America’s First Chief Justice John Jay was born in the Bible there is not a true history in the stitution, he joined with James Madison and New York City on the world.” Alexander Hamilton to write the now fa- 12th of December Respecting God’s law as set forth in the mous Federalist Papers. These papers were 1745, the eighth child Bible, Jay had this to say: “Uninspired the first commentaries on the purpose and of merchant Peter and commentators have dishonored the law, meaning of the United States Constitution. Mary Van Cortlandt by ascribing to it, in certain cases, a sense They ran as editorials, initially in the New Jay. He was named af- and meaning which it did not authorize, York papers, under the pen name of Pub- John Jay ter a N.Y. Supreme and which our Saviour rejected and re- lius. The famous Federalist essays carry the 1745-1829 Court Judge, the Hon- proved. The inspired prophets, on the con- distinction of being considered the official orable John Chambers, trary, expressed the most exalted ideas of authority on the meaning and intent of the and raised on a farm in the town of Rye, the law. They declare that the law of the United States Constitution. They are among N.Y., situated on the shores of Long Is- Lord is perfect; that the statutes of the the great classics in American political sci- land just outside of New Rochelle. Lord are right; and that the command- ence studies. Both his mother and father were devoted ment of the Lord is pure; that God would In 1795, Jay resigned his position as Chief to their children’s education. As was the magnify the law and make it honorable.” Justice of the United States Supreme Court. case with many of America’s founding fa- Public Service He was elected Governor by the State of thers, John’s early education began at Jay served as a member of the Continen- New York and served in that capacity for. home with his mother teaching him “the tal Congress. However, he did not get to two terms. rudiments of English and the Latin gram- sign the Declaration of Independence as In 1801, at the age of 57, Jay ended his mar.” public career retiring to his estate near Bed- John excelled in his studies. This point ford, New York, in Westchester County. made in a letter written by his father to a He died, May 17, 1829. family member when John was just six “I believe the fact to be, Among the Founders, John Jay was a years old: “Johnny is of a very grave dis- much-admired example of Christian virtue position; and takes to learning exceed- that except [for] the and dedicated public service. Throughout ingly well.” Bible there is not a true his writings, Jay’s major themes were as At the age of eight, John Jay was entered follows: into a grammar school kept by the Rever- history in the world.” 1. The need for the practice of righteous end Stoope, pastor of the French church at Biblical principles in the daily lives of New Rochelle. Three years later, now flu- the people. ent in the French language, John was 2. The desire of the Almighty to have placed into the care of a private tutor who he had been called back to New York to peace between nations. would finish preparing him for college. In help draft a new state constitution. He 3. The importance of promoting temper- 1760, at the age of fourteen, he applied ended up as chairman of that drafting ance in every community of America. and was accepted as a student at King’s committee and much of the New York 4. And finally, his strong belief in the College (now called Columbia); he gradu- constitution, which received such great anti-slavery movement. ated in 1764 receiving a Bachelor of Arts praise by the other Founding Fathers, re- One of his last acts was to express his pro- degree. Here he was bestowed the highest flects the thinking of John Jay. found admiration and devotion to the princi- collegiate honor of delivering the Latin In September 1777, Jay was made Chief ples of the Bible. These views were set salutatory at his commencement . Justice of the New York Supreme Court. forth in a lengthy article published by the After graduation, John elected to pursue A short two years later, he was appointed American Bible Society. a career in law. A mere two weeks after by the Confederation Congress, plenipo- graduation from college, he began his tentiary, to work out a treaty with Spain.

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