By Susan F. Martin, Board of Directors, LWV of Washington

Today, Sept. 17, is one of the most important dates in the history of the United States. On this day in 1787, in a building in Philadelphia that would become known as Independence Hall, 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the U.S. Constitution. 

While the delegates expressed concerns about various parts of the Constitution, most agreed with Benjamin Franklin in his closing speech that “I agree to this Constitution, with all its Faults, if they are such.”  

One of the main concerns was the absence of any consideration for the rights of individuals regarding issues such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. Another was the fear that a centralized government would have too much power.  

The Constitution would not go into effect until nine of the 13 states ratified it. Delaware was the first state to vote in favor, ratifying the document on Dec. 7, 1787. Pennsylvania and New Jersey ratified it soon after.  

A larger number followed in 1788, including Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina. New Hampshire, the crucial ninth state, signed on June 21, 1788, making the Constitution legally binding. It was not until May 29, 1790, that the final state, Rhode Island, ratified. 

The deliberations at the Constitutional Convention required substantial negotiations to satisfy the interests of the 13 states. There was considerable agreement that the previous governmental structure — the Articles of Confederation — had failed. Under the Articles, there was no power to tax; no mechanism to carry out the laws passed by Congress; no judicial branch to settle legal disputes; no power to regulate trade; and no national currency, among other problems. 

What should succeed the Articles of Confederation was the question. In the first Federalist Paper, Alexander Hamilton wrote: “It seems to have been reserved to the people of this country … to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force.”  

The first sentence in the Constitution provides the answer: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” 

Much as the preamble to the Constitution is aspirational, as is the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution is also very practical.  

The first three articles define the responsibilities of the legislative, congressional, and judicial branches of the government. The other four articles define the relationships between the states and the federal government, how to change or amend the Constitution in the future, establish that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and explain the ratification process to ensue. 

Some states remained suspicious of the intent of the Constitution. The Federalist Papers helped reassure some delegates in state conventions. During the Massachusetts convention, Gov. John Hancock recommended amendments to the Constitution, including a Bill of Rights.  

Samuel Adams, another leader of the revolution, spoke in favor of what he called a "conciliatory proposition," that persuaded enough Massachusetts delegates to vote for ratification.  

The promise of a Bill of Rights assured other states to follow suit. The Constitution, with the Bill of Rights and further amendments aimed at forming a more perfect Union, has served the nation well. 

Today, however, we are living in what the League of Women Voters has termed a constitutional crisis. As stated by the LWV leadership, "The foundational principles that have sustained our democracy — checks and balances, the rule of law, free and fair elections — are under direct and sustained threat.”  

On Sept. 17, we celebrate Constitution Day. Although not an official federal holiday, schools and agencies that receive federal funding must provide educational programming about the U.S. Constitution on this day.  

We should all remember that ‘We the people’ have a special obligation to protect our republic, as Franklin stated as he left the Constitutional Convention.  

Editor’s note:  The Journal of the San Juans also published this essay on Sept. 11↗️.