Signing Day
On September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, a majority of the Convention delegates present signed the Constitution of the United States. This event came after almost four months of sweltering heat, acrimonious debate, and carefully wrought compromise.
This remarkable group of men, largely Christian, shared a common biblical view that human beings are created in the image of God. Their belief that the individual citizen was endowed with rights from God was a guiding factor in the crafting of this new form of government. They were also realistic in their appraisal of human nature and the fact that human beings, even when trying to do good, often fall prey to unwise or unsavory motives.
Consequently, they were wary of placing too much power in the hands of any individual or group in government. Also their own history was one of resisting tyrannical authority exercised over them by the British monarchy. Realizing the need for a strong government with significant centralized powers, the delegates to the Convention undertook the formidable task of balancing power and restraint within the new government.
Scene of the Signing of the Constitution of the United States by Howard Chandler Christy, 1940. This 20 by 30 foot
painting hangs in the House of Representative side of the U. S. Capitol.
The resulting Constitution that emerged created a government that has functioned effectively for over two hundred years and has guided America to a position of greatness in the world. The founders laboriously gave birth to a republican form of government with elected representatives and clearly enumerated and limited powers. Within the federal government there were separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches with separate powers and checks and balances between them. All authority not specifically granted to the federal government was reserved to the states and to the people. Fundamental rights were subsequently enumerated that could not be overridden by majority vote of the legislature or presidential decree.
These founders thereby achieved a new and unique balance between the legal authority of government and human freedom unlike any seen before in history. American government was to be elected by the people and exist for the people, with powers clearly defined, separated, and limited by this unique document—to guarantee the freedom and dignity of every individual citizen.
Today, officials of the Federal government, including the Vice President of the United States, Cabinet members, members of Congress, federal judges, federal employees, and officers of the military services do NOT pledge loyalty to the President, Congress, a political party, or any other organization. When I took the oath as an officer in the United States Marine Corps I pledged loyalty alone to the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES:
“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
The President’s oath is prescribed in the Constitution and also includes the words “protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” September 17 has been set aside as the day to remember these heroic men and their miraculous accomplishment, and to give thanks for this document that has so stood the test of time. God did bless America at this pivotal moment in our founding.