"... To establish justice ..."

The essence of American democracy is contained in the Declaration of Independence, with its ringing phrase, "All men are created equal," and the follow-up statements "that they are endowed by their Creator with certan unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.''

The Constitution makes no discrimination as to the wealth or status of persons; all are equal before the law, and all are equally subject to judgment and punishment when they violate the law. The same holds true for civil disputes, in­volving property, legal agreements and business arrangements. Open access to the courts is one of the most vital guarantees written into the Bill of Rights.

"... To insure domestic tranquillity ..."

The stormy birth of the United States — in an armed revolution against the mother country — and the unsettled conditions along the western frontier, convinced Americans of the need for internal stability to permit the new nation to grow and prosper. The federal government created by the Constitution had to be strong enough to protect the states against invasion from the outside, and from strife and vio­lence at home. No part of the continental United States has been invaded by a foreign nation since 1815. The state gov­ernments have generally been strong enough to maintain order within their own borders. But behind them stands the awesome power of the federal government, which is con­stitutionally empowered to take the necessary steps to pre­serve the peace.

" . . . To provide for the common defense ..."

Even with its independence secured, the new nation faced very real dangers on many sides. On the western frontier, there was the constant threat from hostile Indian tribes. To the north, the British still owned Canada, whose eastern provinces were jammed with revengeful American Tories. The French ownwed the vast Louisiana Territory in the conti­nental midwest. To the south, the Spanish held Florida, Texas and Mexico. All three European powers had colonies in the Caribbean Sea, within striking distance of the American coast. Moreover, the nations of Europe were embroiled in a series of wars which spilled over into the New World.

In the early years, the constitutional objective of pro­viding a "common defense" focused on opening up the territory immediately beyond the Appalachian Mountains and on pacification of the Indians who inhabited the area. Within a short time, however, the importance of military strength was underscored by the outbreak of war with England in 1812, skirmishes with the Spanish in Florida, and war with Mexico in 1846.

As America's economic and political power increased, its defensive might grew apace. The Constitution divides the defense responsibility between the legislative and executive branches: Congress alone has the power to declare war and to appropriate funds for defense, while the President is Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and bears primary responsibility for the defense of the country.