Does “insure domestic Tranquility” mean I cannot speak out against my Government?
A few months prior to the 1787 Convention that ratified the Constitution, there was a huge revolt and uprising in the state of Massachusetts called “Shay’s Rebellion”. It resulted in the arrest of 1,000 war veterans who took the democratic revolution too far. These rebels disregarded the laws of the Confederation, broke into a federal armory to steal weapons, and created “a state of anarchy, confusion, and slavery”, according to Governor James Bowdoin.
This rebellion was a shock to the Framers and they were eager to put in place a system that gave powers to the federal government to prevent any such uprisings in the future.
To “Insuring Domestic Tranquility” means maintaining law or order within our country. It means avoiding anarchy and open rebellion against the local and federal government by the people. Tranquility means a "calm state" that is “free from disturbances”. That is the ideal state the Founding Fathers were shooting for. However, it DOES NOT MEAN eliminating the people’s 1st Amendment freedoms of speech, press, or peaceful assembly.
As long as “We the People” follow established laws and procedures, we are free to speak out against our “Non-Representing Representatives”. We are free to rally against Big Government Spending. We are free to demand that Congress follow the same rules we have to follow. We are free to ask our leaders tough questions. We are free to sign petitions, have Tea Parties, write letters, and let our voices be heard. When we exercise those rights and freedoms we do our part to “insure domestic tranquility” for our future generations. Let us all DO OUR PART!
A few months prior to the 1787 Convention that ratified the Constitution, there was a huge revolt and uprising in the state of Massachusetts called “Shay’s Rebellion”. It resulted in the arrest of 1,000 war veterans who took the democratic revolution too far. These rebels disregarded the laws of the Confederation, broke into a federal armory to steal weapons, and created “a state of anarchy, confusion, and slavery”, according to Governor James Bowdoin.
This rebellion was a shock to the Framers and they were eager to put in place a system that gave powers to the federal government to prevent any such uprisings in the future.
To “Insuring Domestic Tranquility” means maintaining law or order within our country. It means avoiding anarchy and open rebellion against the local and federal government by the people. Tranquility means a "calm state" that is “free from disturbances”. That is the ideal state the Founding Fathers were shooting for. However, it DOES NOT MEAN eliminating the people’s 1st Amendment freedoms of speech, press, or peaceful assembly.
As long as “We the People” follow established laws and procedures, we are free to speak out against our “Non-Representing Representatives”. We are free to rally against Big Government Spending. We are free to demand that Congress follow the same rules we have to follow. We are free to ask our leaders tough questions. We are free to sign petitions, have Tea Parties, write letters, and let our voices be heard. When we exercise those rights and freedoms we do our part to “insure domestic tranquility” for our future generations. Let us all DO OUR PART!
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