My birthday was Saturday, July 9, which was also the 154th anniversary of the 14th amendment to the US Constitution. There’s an interesting story about its ratification.
The 14th Amendment overturned the infamous 1857 Dred Scott decision, which said (a) Black men were not citizens and did not have the rights of citizens, and (b) democracy was created at the state level by those people in a state who were allowed to vote (i.e., white men). In contrast, the 14th Amendment gave the federal government the power to protect people even if state legislatures passed discriminatory laws.
To become law, the 14th Amendment had to be ratified. This occurred after President Lincoln was assassinated, and his successor, Andrew Johnson, was not a supporter. Those running for office in the next election made it the primary issue nationwide. The American people overwhelmingly supported the 14th Amendment by electing the legislators by a landslide who would ratify it. So, the people of the USA made sure the 14th Amendment became law.
Sometimes you have to go to the people to get the job done. Is there something you need to “take to the people” this week?
“Democracy is worth dying for because it’s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man.”
– Ronald Reagan
