U.S. Constitution Was Written For Posterity
How Are We Doing with That?
The Preamble — the first elegant and often-quoted words of the 1887 U.S. Constitution — indicate who it was written for: “ourselves and posterity.”
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. -U.S. Constitution
Posterity (n)
“the people who will exist in the future” -Cambridge Dictionary
SO?
Do we interpret the constitution with “the people who will exist in the future” in mind? Or do we often interpret it for ourselves without our common future context and consideration? I wonder, including when I hear use of the words American, un American, patriot, and unpatriotic.
If we interpret the Preamble now in terms of “the people who will exist in the future,” might we act differently? A little? Make different decisions? At times? Moreover, do we consider “the people who will exist in the future” and the constitution’s purposes of:
“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”?
Seems like the framers created some expectations and responsibility. How would you interpret their intentions? Their hopes?
RELEVENCE OVER TIME
The Preamble does not establish legal doctrine. But it instead sets forth the underlying reason and vision for the Constitution’s Articles and Amendments, including The Bill of Rights. In the Preamble’s brilliance we have a touchstone for our thinking, including what it means to be American, posterity, and our legacy.
I’m writing this February 2023 in a time where there is increased reflection on colonialism, numerous topics relating to justice, ecology, especially climate, and others that shine a light on past and current behaviors. As we consider our ancestors’ behavior (while giving them gratitude), I wonder how this area of reconsidering history might continue, and reflect on our behavior and its outcomes.
The U.S. Constitution was written in 1878, so I was curios about the definition of posterity at that time. Websters 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language said:
I find this an interesting cultural time capsule with reference to Adam and, of interest to me, the usage example of injustice and vengeance (avenge is considered obsolete today).
THEREFORE
An annual Day for Descendants, and daily descendant1 mindfulness, might focus on our intentions. If we review our intentions, and keep them in mind, we might make some decisions differently.
****
This is more Mulch for the artists of Day for Descendants Art & Altars show, and those participating in satellite shows—background information that may sprout ideas or art or altars. Comments welcome.
Notes
Cornell Law’s analysis of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution contains three sections and some interesting information.
Mulch is for a gallery show and satellite shows about descendants. The U.S Constitution was written for posterity. What’s the difference?
Descendant vs Posterity - What's the difference?
descendant | posterity |
As nouns the difference between descendant and posterity is that descendant is one who is the progeny of a specified person, at any distance of time or through any number of generations while posterity is all the future generations, especially the descendants of a specific person.
As an adjective descendant is descending from a biological ancestor. —Wikidiff
So, in essence, same. Descendant also refers to flora and fauna—nature.