In accordance with these recommendations, amendments were proposed at the first session of congress.  The house of representatives proposed seventeen, to twelve of which the senate agreed.  Only ten, however, were ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states.  They are, of course, the first ten among those that follow.  It was decided by the same congress that the amendments should not be incorporated into the main body of the constitution, but should be appended to it as distinct articles.  They have, however, the same force as the original constitution.

ARTICLE I.

FREEDOM OF RELIGION, OF SPEECH, AND OF ASSEMBLY.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;[1] or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press;[2] or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress or grievances.[3]

[1] The chief purpose for which many of the early settlers came to America was that they might “worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience.”  Hence their descendants put first among the individual rights to be protected, this freedom of religion.  But this provision does not authorize any one to commit crime in the name of religion.

[2] The only limitation upon speech in this country is that the rights of others be respected.  Any one may think as he pleases upon any subject, and may freely express his opinion, provided that in doing so he does not trespass upon the rights of others.

[3] It would seem that under a republican form of government this right might be assumed to be secure.  The provision is meant to “make assurance doubly sure.”  History had shown the necessity of such precaution.

ARTICLE II.

RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.

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.

It should not be the policy of a republic to keep a large standing army.  An army is expensive, it takes so many men from productive industries, and it is dangerous to liberty—­it may from its training become the instrument of tyranny.

But a republic must have defenders against foes foreign or domestic.  A well-trained militia may be depended upon to fight with valor against a foreign foe, and may at the same time serve as a check upon usurpation.

For definition of militia, see page 162.

ARTICLE III.

QUARTERING SOLDIERS.

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 described by law.

To “quarter” soldiers in any house is to allot them to it for food and shelter.