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The Bill of Rights story is incomplete without a look at the process

What was the story behind the Bill of Rights?

Date published: 1/20/2006

INOTE THAT THE FREE LANCE-Star's series on the Bill of Rights continues to draw interest. I was prompted by the series to revisit the events of the period that led up to the Constitutional Convention and have been recounted by some excellent historians. I particularly enjoyed Catherine Drinker Bowen's "Miracle at Philadelphia" and "A Biography of the Constitution" by Broadus and Louise Pearson Mitchell, especially the Mitchells' recounting of the many facets of the passionate political philosophies of the delegates and their views on the primary issue--the powers to be given to the new federal government. (Both books are in the Central Rappahannock Regional Library.)

This story began in 1774 when representatives of the 13 colonies came together in convention as the Continental Congress in Philadelphia and created in July 1776 a Declaration of Independence.

Then, having realized the unheard of feat of winning the rebellion against their mother country, they faced the daunting task of governing themselves. Fearful of a too authoritative central government, their first effort in 1784 was a weak confederation incapable of dealing with matters of national defense, international commerce, or even revenues for operation. (We can surely relate to these issues even today.)

A convention called in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation evolved instead into an effort to draft a constitution. But though it resulted in a landmark document, the issue of the powers that a central government should have remained unresolved and passionately debated. Ratification was not assured.

This resulted in the drafting of a Bill of Rights, originally proposed as 12 and then reduced to 10 amendments, to be presented to the Congress by James Monroe and a select committee, who sorted through dozens of proposals from the states.

Only a brilliant strategy and a careful diplomatic tactician could have accomplished it. The goal was a pragmatic one--to get the Constitution ratified by the requisite number of states. The miracle is that they did it.

Some state leaders wanted no amendments. Some wanted so many that there was danger of having to call another convention. Some wanted changes integrated into the main document. All were eloquent.

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Date published: 1/20/2006