Issue 19.17
The founders were articulate and exacting when it came to written documents, especially legal documents. They were well educated especially by today’s standards. They chose words carefully to mean exactly what they intended to convey. In a few cases, the primary meaning of some words they used has been superseded by newer or slightly different meanings but when there is a question as to intent, referring back to the 1826 Dictionary compiled by Noah Webster is very instructive. So too are the writings of the founders, such as the Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers. All of those are very worthwhile in seeking for the intended meanings of the things that were written.
The Constitution was the most important work of its time, both in the minds of the framers and in its effect on history. The words used were debated and considered relentlessly by dozens of contributors during the Constitutional Congress. The use of one word over another might take up significant time as they considered, not only the meaning, but possible misunderstanding of the meaning of the words and phrases used.
This brings us to two phrases in the Preamble of the US Constitution. This part of the document sets forth the very reasons for creating a government through the writing of this document. The two phrases follow each other. They are “provide for the common defense” and “promote the general welfare”.
As you follow through the Articles of the Constitution (which lay out the responsibilities and requirements of the various parts of government) it is clear that providing for the common defense would require taxation of some type in order to pay to raise and arm a military defense for our country. The process of that taxation and the organization of a military that was designed and tasked with defending our freedoms from foreign aggressions was outlined in some detail. There is no question that creating a military and funding it through taxation was part of the government created by this document.
It is interesting that the oath of office that all military enlistees (be they volunteers or conscriptees) commit to states the following. “I (their name) do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, So Help me God.” I hope you caught that their allegiance is first to the Constitution and then to obeying the lawful orders under that Constitution of the President and the officers above them.
In stark contrast is the word “promote” in the general welfare phrase. Promote means now, as it did then, that the government will encourage, enable or not stand in the way of the general welfare such as good housing, education, health care etc. As your read through the rest of the Constitution, it is little mentioned and not provided for. The founders were very clear that these items were the responsibility and privilege of the people and of the states. The Federal Government had its own responsibilities and would do what it could through promotion of good works by the states and people to further positive action in these areas. They would not “provide” those things as it was not their assigned duty or responsibility and they would not fund those things through taxation. The states and local communities could do so as they were able and as the community intention desired.
It would be good for all citizens to keep these things in mind as we require things of our governments and our elected officials.
Lynn West is a thinker, a teacher and a patriot. You can reach him through email at forgingthefuture2021@gmail.com or through this newspaper. Liberty is a state of being which must be continually created. These articles can help all of us discover the ways we can contribute to that outcome.