On The Front Lines
In Recognition of Bill of Rights Day, The Rutherford Institute Offers Free Bill of Rights Pamphlet to Anyone Who Requests One
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.--In recognition of the 213th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, The Rutherford Institute is offering a free copy of its Do You Know the Bill of Rights? pamphlet to anyone that requests one. Requests can be made by calling the Institute at 1-800-225-1791 or by emailing staff@rutherford.org."To those who value freedom, the 462 words that make up the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are the most important words in the English language--words that approach sacredness and constitute the only remaining barrier against an ever-encroaching government," said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. "These unequivocal declarations of human rights may not be the most eloquent ever written, but they contain the most potent and powerful rights ever guaranteed to a group of people."
Although the United States Constitution was ratified in June 1788, a serious objection arose to its lack of a "bill of rights." Determined to safeguard their hard-won rights, many Americans accepted the new American government on the condition that provision be made for the protection of their fundamental or "first liberties" against usurpation by the newly-created federal government. It was commonly believed that if specific immunities from the federal government were not spelled out, the individual states would be in danger of losing their fundamental rights. The Bill of Rights is essentially a list of immunities from interference by the federal government. For example, the First Amendment was intended to ensure that the federal government would not interfere with the matters of religion, speech, press, assembly and the like. On December 15, 1791, the first ten amendments to the Constitution were ratified.
"Much water has passed under the bridge since those 462 words became an integral part of the American legal and political fabric," said Whitehead. "The Supreme Court has decided many cases invoking the Bill of Rights, sometimes affirming and sometimes limiting the freedoms found therein. Yet no matter how disturbing the rulings in some of the court cases have been, even more troubling are certain recent developments regarding our liberties. The United States Constitution--of which the Bill of Rights is a critical part--has thus far stood the test of time. In the end, however, it is the vigilance of 'we the people' that will keep the freedoms we hold so dear alive. I hope all Americans will take the time to learn more about their 'first liberties,' so that they might more vigilantly protect them in the future."
The Rutherford Institute is an international, nonprofit civil liberties organization committed to defending constitutional and human rights.
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