Text Of Bill Of Rights Reminds Us We Still Have Them

As July 4 approaches and the temptation to wax patriotic sets in, let's all take a moment to reflect on an unfortunate reality: 2013 hasn't exactly been kind to our inalienable rights.

Between the NSA PRISM scandal (Fourth Amendment violation), the Supreme Court's massive curtailment of Miranda rights (Fifth Amendment), and the court's gutting of the Voting Rights Act (Fourteenth Amendment), we've had our share of major constitutional rights violations this year.

As a nation, we've also grappled with numerous unresolved constitutional controversies, including the use of religious prayer in public schools (First Amendment), the teaching of creationism in public schools (First Amendment), the campaign for gun control (Second Amendment), the rights of terrorists like Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to a lawyer (Sixth Amendment), and the use of the death penalty in states like Texas (Eighth Amendment).

Finally, we've also had a handful of constitutional freedoms restored to us, most notably the right to equal federal marriage benefits for same-sex couples (Fifth Amendment) and the right of NGOs to make their own value judgements on issues like prostitution (First Amendment).

Keeping in mind that so many of the political issues of 2013 have revolved around our civil liberties, let's take a look at the original text of the document that started it all in the first place: The Bill of Rights, as ratified by the states on December 15, 1791.

The Bill of Rights

The Preamble to The Bill of Rights

Congress of the United States

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Transcript courtesy of the National Archives

Gabe Grand is an editorialist for PolicyMic and a constitutional law junkie. Follow @gabethegrand