Dear Lord, have they lost their minds?
Blast from the Past
by A.X. Perez
[email protected]
Special to L. Neil Smith’s The Libertarian Enterprise
I have mentioned much of this in another venue: that said, this is the first draft of what grew up to be the 2nd Amendment:
A well regulated militia, composed of the body
of the people, being the best security of a free state, the right of the
people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, but no one
religiously scrupulous of bearing arms, shall be compelled to render
military service in person.
[Modified version is Fourth Amendment in the second draft:
modified version ratified as the Second Amendment]
(see
https://www.sethkaller.com/item/182-First-Draft-of-the-Bill-of-Rights:-17-Amendments-Approved-by-the-House)
First off please note that essentially the well regulated militia intended was basically the entire population of the state, obviating arguments as to whether the right to keep and bear arms was supposed to be an individual or collective right. It's both. This was in line with militia laws in the states requiring everyone to get armed to defend themselves and the state. Also, note that it contains a conscientious objector clause.
Arguably the keeping and bearing of arms was viewed as both a private right and a civic responsibility. This viewpoint is alien to many modern Americans, but I think they were right.
Secondly Thomas Jefferson proposed the following Amendment as part of the Bill of Rights:
All troops of the U.S. shall stand ipso facto
disbanded at the expiration of the term for which their pay and
subsistence shall have been last voted by Congress, and all officers and
souldiers not natives of the U.S. shall be incapable of serving in their
armies by and except during a foreign war.
(see:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-15-02-0354)
Jefferson had observed the use of foreign mercenaries to suppress rebellion in France at the start of the revolution, thus his desire to having mercenaries in the US military during peace time. As for his desire to avoid large standing armies, well that ship sailed with WWII, WWIII (AKA the Cold War and the middle and late 20th Century bush wars), the current war n terror, and rumors of the invasion of Earth by the lizard men of Betelgeuse VII no doubt (sarcasm, humor.) How he would have felt about the proliferation of militarized police forces I don't even want to think.
Just thought y'all would enjoy these blasts from the past written by guys trying to create an adult, free, society.
From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 August 1789 P.S. I just now learn that Mr. Necker proposed yesterday to the National assembly a loan of 80. millions, on terms more tempting to the lender than the former, and that they approve it, leaving him to arrange the details in order that they might occupy themselves at once about the constitution. founders.archives.gov |
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