The Essentials of a Written Constitution, Volume 4, Issue 9 |
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Common terms and phrases
action adopted American Union appointed apportionment bill of rights branches of government cantons chosen citizen Congress consti Constitution of Switzerland Constitution of Vermont constitutional convention constitutional revision council of censors departments doctrine draft duties elected electorate embodied empire enactment essential executive fact federal constitution Federal Council federal government federal legislature forbidden fourteenth amendment France fundamental German empire governmental groups habeas corpus Ibid Illinois constitution immunities impeachment intrusted judges judicial power judiciary lative left to statute legis legislature liberty limited majority ment merely ordinary law ordinary legislation organic law partial revision popular initiative popular vote preamble provisions purpose qualifications question representatives republic requirement residuary powers restrictions secure Senate social sovereign specific statutory structure suffrage supreme court supreme law Swiss constitution Swiss federal constitution Switzerland three-fourths tion total revision tution U. S. Constitution United upper house usually vested voters whole written constitution York
Popular passages
Page 5 - We, the people of the United States, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Page 18 - Between these alternatives there is no middle ground. The Constitution is either a superior paramount law, unchangeable by ordinary means, or it is on a level with ordinary legislative acts, and, like other acts, is alterable when the legislature shall please to alter it.
Page 6 - We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations...
Page 18 - To what purpose are powers limited, and to what purpose is that limitation committed to writing, if these limits may at any time be passed by those intended to be restrained? The distinction between a government with limited and unlimited powers is abolished if those limits do not confine the persons on whom they are imposed, and if acts prohibited and acts allowed are of equal obligation.
Page 32 - The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination shall forever be guaranteed; and no person shall be denied any civil or political right, privilege or capacity on account of his religious opinions; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be construed to dispense with oaths or affirmations, excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the State.
Page 18 - This original and supreme will organizes the government, and assigns to different departments their respective powers. It may either stop here, or establish certain limits not to be transcended by those departments.
Page 41 - An auditor of public accounts, an attorney -general, and such other officers for the State as may be necessary, may be appointed by the general assembly, whose duties may be regulated by law.
Page 41 - That no inconvenience may arise from the alterations and amendments in the Constitution of this State, and to carry the same into complete effect, it is hereby ordained and declared: SECTION 1.
Page 18 - The powers of the legislature are defined and limited ; and that those limits may not be mistaken, or forgotten, the Constitution is written. To what purpose are powers limited, and to what purpose is that limitation committed to writing, if these limits may, at any time, be passed by those intended to be restrained...
Page 18 - The government of the United States is of the latter description. The powers of the legislature are defined and limited; and that those limits may not be mistaken, or forgotten, the constitution is writted.