To all those who believe the Constitution is a 'living' document subject to the whims of the day:
"Temporary delusions, prejudices, excitements, and objects have irresistible influence in mere questions of policy. And the policy of one age may ill suit the wishes or the policy of another. The constitution is not subject to such fluctuations. It is to have a fixed, uniform, permanent construction. It should be, so far at least as human infirmity will allow, not dependent upon the passions or parties of particular times, but the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." ~ Joseph Story
2 comments:
If Story were alive today, how do you think he would restate this? Do you think given the advantage of perspective over the 150 or so years since his death, his view would have grown more complex or remained the same?
I think he anticipated significant changes (the policy of one age may ill suit the wishes or policy of another) and believed the Constitution was not subject to such fluctuations (to use his own words).
I think he'd be appalled at how far our nation and her people have strayed from the foundations originally provided to us upon our birth.
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