Saturday, February 03, 2018

For Our Posterity . . .

By Douglas V. Gibbs
Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host

In the Preamble there is a line that reads "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity."

The Constitution is a written document, therefore, to emphasize words the Framers did not use italics.  Instead, they would often capitalize the first letter of a word for the purpose of emphasis.  This was the case in the Preamble.  If you will notice, the word "ourselves" and "Posterity" differ in that the latter is capitalized, while the former is not.

Like us, while they were concerned about liberty for their own generation, they were especially concerned about future generations; their Posterity - those not yet born.  The Framers knew that they were accomplishing something phenomenal, that would stand the test of time, and provide liberty for generations to come - and that is exactly why they did it.

That said, another way we could read that phrase from the Preamble is, "secure the Blessings of Liberty, yes to ourselves, but especially to our Posterity ... capital P Posterity ... those not yet born."

Like us, the Framers did what they did for future generations more than they did it for themselves.  Are we willing to do the same?  I have seven reasons I do what I can to spread constitutional literacy and encourage patriot advocacy - my seven grandchildren.  I want them to have the America I enjoyed, and more.  As Reagan once said, I do not wish to tell my grandchildren someday what America was once like when it was free.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

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