In the practice of law and there is a rule of law that questions regarding a contract must be construed by what is said within the 4 corners of the Agreement itself. Contract law is based on this principle. What the document says, controls. If it is not there, the Agreement must then be revised or the question ignored.
Somehow that ordinary and simple concept seems to have escaped the minds of those who construe the meaning of the Constitution. The Constitution is nothing but a contract, an Agreement between the original 13 colonies to work together to “form a more perfect Union.”
As I was editing some material this week, I was once again enchanted by my description of a recent trip my wife and I took to Virginia. One of the most memorable placed we stopped was Red Hill. This was Patrick Henry’s retirement home, and where his grave is located.
There were some mean spirited and even scandalous elections in our nations early years. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams had a furious campaign against each other. Their early friendship was almost completely ended. They didn’t speak to each other for a dozen years.
It was quite a night last night! My wife and I attended a special “coming out” event for the Universal Model. I couldn’t help but think how proud Thomas Jefferson would be of Dean Sessions, the man behind this new model. It is all about the scientific method. Dean, a friend of mine, kept asking himself questions and then seeking the answers.
That’s precisely what Benjamin Franklin would do. He asked himself if lightening really could be composed of electrical current. So he carried out several successful experiments to prove his hypothesis. His book about electricity was one of the most read books in all of Europe in the 1700’s. It really changed things. Look around you.
When you get a chance to visit Jefferson’s home at Monticello, be sure you make the most of it. The home is just chock full of the most interesting items, collections, and inventions. But not only that, Thomas has given space to many of those he deemed to be great individuals.
However, the original Patriots didn’t play football. Football hadn’t even been invented yet. Those original Patriots played for keeps and they created a new nation. The first one ever to be of the people, by the people and for the people.