THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES: THE FIRST AMENDMENT
This article is part of a continuing series on the Constitution of the United States and the 27 Amendments, which are part of the Constitution. Each will be addressed in a separate post as time permits, and each reader is urged to read each for themselves, so as to be familiar with the text and the meaning of each Amendment.
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.
Analysis and commentary are welcomed, I considered adding my own commentary to this article, but my words would add nothing to the above statements. I may add something below, or in later posts.
