In the preamble to the US Constitution, what is the meaning of the phrase and two are posterity?
In the preamble to the US Constitution, the phrase "and two are posterity" refers to future generations of Americans who will benefit from the principles and ideals outlined in the Constitution.
The full phrase is "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."
By mentioning "our Posterity," the framers of the Constitution emphasized their intention to create a sustainable government that would continue to serve future generations. It highlights the intergenerational nature of the Constitution and conveys the idea that the Constitution's purpose is not only for the then-present citizens but also for those who would come after them.
The phrase "and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity" appears in the preamble to the US Constitution. Here is the meaning of the phrase broken down step-by-step:
1. "And secure the blessings of liberty": This part of the phrase recognizes the importance of safeguarding and protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms enjoyed by the American people, both now and in the future.
2. "To ourselves": This refers to the current generation of Americans, those who were present when the Constitution was written and ratified. It emphasizes their immediate involvement in maintaining and preserving liberty.
3. "And our posterity": This phrase emphasizes the long-term perspective and the intergenerational aspect of the Constitution. "Posterity" refers to future generations of Americans who are yet to be born or who will come after the current generation. It highlights the idea that the purpose of establishing a just and enduring government is not solely for the benefit of the present generation, but also for the well-being and freedom of all future generations.
In essence, this phrase in the preamble expresses the intent of the framers of the Constitution to establish a government that would not only secure liberty for themselves but also ensure that future generations of Americans would continue to enjoy the blessings of freedom and rights.
In order to understand the meaning of the phrase "and two are posterity" in the preamble to the US Constitution, it is essential to examine the document itself. The preamble states:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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."
The phrase "and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity" refers to the purpose of establishing the Constitution. When the framers of the Constitution wrote "ourselves," they were referring to the current generation of citizens who were creating the Constitution. On the other hand, "posterity" refers to future generations, the descendants who would inherit the results of the Constitution.
The inclusion of the phrase demonstrates that the framers of the Constitution were not only concerned with the immediate needs of the country but also with ensuring that the benefits of liberty and the principles laid out in the Constitution would be preserved and extended to future generations. It emphasizes the long-term vision and the desire to create a lasting framework that would serve the nation beyond the present moment.
To find the answer to this question, I reviewed the preamble to the US Constitution and analyzed its content and historical context. It is important to read the original document and consider the intentions of the framers when attempting to understand the meaning of specific phrases or sections.