The provision here that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office," is designed to prevent the ascendancy of any religious sect, in the government, and the persecution of an individual for his religious opinions. In other countries, as England, France, &c., it has frequently happened that persons entertaining certain religious notions, have been entirely excluded from all offices of trust and profit. Until a very recent period, Catholics have been held ineligible to office in England; but this restriction is now removed. ARTICLE VII. The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the states so ratifying the same. It has been already stated that when the Constitution was presented to the people for their acceptance, it was immediately ratified by all the thirteen states, except North Carolina and Rhode Island. This made eleven states, two more than required by this provision. Measures were taken in 1788 by Congress, as soon as it was ascertained that the requisite number of states had accepted the Constitution, to carry it into effect. An election was ordered, and Wednesday, the 18th of March, 1789, was the time appointed for commencing proceedings under the Constitution. The members of Congress assembled accordingly at New York, then the seat of government, but a quorum for transacting business did not arrive till the 6th of April. On counting the votes for President, it was found that George Washing ton was unanimously elected President, and John Adams was elected Vice President. Since that period, the following persons have held the office of President: John Adams of Massachusetts, James Monroe of 1797 to 1801. 1801 to 1809. do. 1809 to 1817. John Quincy Adams of Mass. Andrew Jackson of Tennessee, 1829 to 1837. Martin Van Buren of New York, 1837 to 1841. William Henry Harrison of Ohio, 1841 John Tyler of Virginia, (Vice President, succeeded to the presidency, on the death of 1841. Harrison,) Articles in addition to and amendment of the Constitution. ART. I.-Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and tò petition the government for a redress of grievances. This is a most important provision: it secures us against a "union of church and state," which has been one of the great evils of foreign governments. When government has undertaken to establish a particular religion, it has patronised only those who adopted its creed, and it has always persecuted those who differed from it. Thus freedom of religious opinion, or religious toleration, is incompatible with the union of church and state. Even in England, where a church is established and supported by the government, those who do not belong to this church, are, however, taxed to support it. They are therefore compelled to aid in propagating and promoting a religious faith, which they believe to be erroneous. It is to prevent such tyranny, that the clause we are noticing, is introduced. "Freedom of speech" and "freedom of the press," are also among the most essential safeguards of liberty. If men may speak freely, and if they may freely publish their opinions, it is likely that the abuses of government will be exposed, and the people put on their guard against those who might plot their ruin. Most governments of Europe, have, at various periods, put restraints upon the freedom of speech, and the freedom of the press; and even now, there are few foreign countries in which entire liberty is enjoyed in these respects. Despotism fears the truth; it shrinks from discussion; it therefore dreads freedom of speech and the press. But a free government, like ours, instituted by the people, and designed for the benefit of the people, can have no inducement, so long as it is administered according to its true intent, to hide the truth or interrupt discussion. The right of the people, peaceably to assemble, in order to discuss public topics, and express their wishes upon public affairs, is a great right, and one that ought never to be impaired. It is by assemblies of the people, in masses, that rulers are made to feel the people's power, and are taught the necessity of regarding their wishes. The "right of petition" is essential to liberty. What more decided mark of humiliating slavery could be furnished, than a condition which deprives men of the right of laying their wants and wishes, their prayers and petitions, before their rulers? Seldom has any king, or despot, denied this right to his subjects. It is one of the most universal of human rights, and would exist, even if not secured by this provision of the Constitution. The right to petition, carries with it an obligation on the part of the petitioned, to hear and consider the prayer. The mere right to pray; without being listened to, is mockery. As well might a petition be addressed to the stones or the trees, as to human beings, if there were no obligation to hear and consider the prayer. Congress are therefore bound to hear and consider every reasonable and respectful petition which is presented to them. ART. II.-A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. In some despotic countries, the people have been denied the privilege of having guns and other weapons in their possession, because the government feared the people, and therefore deemed it necessary to keep these means of warfare out of their hands. Our popular government can have no such fear. ART. III.-No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. " The quartering of troops on the people, has been one of the common acts of tyranny inflicted by monarchical governments. ART. IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. This provision is important, for it has frequently happened, in former times, that a despotic ruler has sent his officers into a man's house, and seized his papers; and these have been used to convict him of treason or other crimes. In order to the enjoyment of liberty; in order that every man may feel safe, it is indispensable that barriers against such acts of tyranny should be established. ART.-V.-No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the 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 the same offence, to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness against himself; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. These provisions are essential, and we cannot too much commend the wisdom that established them; nor ought we to fail to rejoice that such safeguards to our liberty are provided. In reading the history of other countries, we shall see how much humanity has suffered for the want of such |