Newsletter
Volume 1 - Issue 8

The Florida League of the South

Constitutional Rights - Fact or Fiction?

Part 6 in a series - by Publius II

We come now to the next link in our effort to understand the difference between these two entities (US vs. USA) and how it has come to affect us and our Natural Rights.

First, and generally speaking, it should be remembered that the War for Southern Independence was extremely devastating to America. Over five-hundred thousand deaths had occurred. In particular, the South was struck worst of all and was all but destroyed of its infrastructure and way of life.

The People had become lost and barely able to sustain themselves. With that and the subsequent "reconstruction" period they were forced into, the government instituted several things, which today could easily be construed as unconstitutional acts. For example, the South was forbidden to participate in government functions and thus had no representation during this period. Included in these acts of an incomplete representative government was the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment. You should remember in Part 3 it was stated that then President Andrew Johnson was opposed to the Fourteenth Amendment and was threatened with conviction of his impeachment unless he capitulated. Now you're about to see why he opposed it and why they were so willing to go to whatever lengths to pass it.

Remember too, that President Lincoln had suspended the "Writ of Habeas Corpus" thus making everyone subject to federal jurisdiction, not the Common Law. While the Thirteenth Amendment freed the slaves it also freed everyone of "involuntary servitude." Meaning, you can't be held to a contract in perpetuity (forever), which implies there must be a termination date on contracts or at the very least some way to terminate them voluntarily. This was a set up for the Fourteenth Amendment and ultimately this coexisting system we have today. Here is why:

Now that the War was over and the South about to regain its seats in the Congress, those in power at the time wanted to continue their control and jurisdiction over the People. But Lincoln's suspension of the "Writ of Habeas Corpus" had to be rescinded because the emergency was over. This meant that the People had regained their Right to the Common Law. It shall soon become apparent why the Fourteenth Amendment came to be.

You see, until the passing of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868, shortly after the War had ended, there had never been a legal status or formal distinction of any one of the People being a citizen of the United States (Congress), since the States are independent states, each in their own Rights, though subject to certain conditions as defined within the Articles of Confederation. But, short of that, the People were, and still are, Citizens of the State in which they were born.

Nonetheless, in an informal way, one might well have said, in a colloquial sense, they are "Citizens of the several States" or "Citizens of the union (of States)" or one might well have said, they were a "Citizen of the united States" (note lower case "u"). In this instance the term "united" is an adjective referring to the Union of the several States (USA), not the Congress (US) (Indeed, this later form of expression is what most of us think we are meaning when we say, "yes" to "are you a citizen of the United States?"

Though in 1868, with the [questionable] ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment, there became, for the first time, a legal status of being a "citizen of the United States" (in Congress assembled - US). The following is the legally acceptable definition of this amendment.

Black's Law Dictionary (6th edition):

"The Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, ratified in 1868, creates or at least recognizes for the first time a citizenship of the United States, as distinct from that of the states; forbids the making or enforcement by any state of any law abridging the privileges and immunities of citizens of the United States; and secures all "persons" against any state action which results in either deprivation of life, liberty, or property without due process of law." [Boldface and Underlines added]

The first notable point here is the phrase "for the first time". Again, before the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment (1868) there had never been a legal national status of citizenship.

The next point to keep in mind is the phrase "at least recognizes". This will become increasingly clear as we go along. For now, let's just say, that if you claim it or declare it (whether it is true or not) they will recognize it and accept it and claim jurisdiction over you for doing it.

Then it says, "as distinct from that of the states". Here, it actually admits there are two separate and "distinct" citizens, one of the States (that's any one of the several States of the Union - USA) and now, one of the United States (in Congress assembled - US).

The consequence of this fact is that the Fourteenth Amendment draws a "distinct" line of authority and jurisdiction between these two entities, by forbidding any one of the [several] States from enacting any law abridging the "privileges and immunities" over such "persons" [citizens of the United States] that would deprive them of life, liberty or property.

So while the states have NO legal jurisdiction over a "citizen of the United States," one must REMEMBER the United States never had direct jurisdiction over "Citizens of the [several] States" via the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

It is tremendously significant that the word "persons" has been placed in quotations in the above definition (they were not added here). It was done to signify and to alert us to a legal distinction as to the proper use of the term. It is also clear they used the term "person" in an effort to manipulate us into thinking it is somehow synonymous with being a Natural Person, when they are really referring to a legislative entity, which is an artificial entity, a non-living thing, a corporation. Only the Nature of Man (the Creator) can create Living Beings.

You will come to notice how they use this term "person" at all levels of government, in all of their so-called applications for their various programs, as well as other documents, to insinuate a living being,

Black's Law Dictionary (6th edition)

"Person. In general usage, a human being (i.e. natural person), though by statute term may include labor organizations, partnerships, associations, corporations, legal representatives, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, or receivers." [Underline added]

It is important to remember that the hierarchy of the fundamental Laws of Nature functions from the top down. So while Man is a creature of Nature (Natural Person), governments are creatures of Man and whatever the government creates is therefore not Natural, but Artificial.

Now, you are probably thinking that the Fourteenth Amendment sounds redundant, because you thought we already had these Rights of Life, Liberty, the pursuit of Happiness as well as property as espoused within the Declaration of Independence. So, if that were true then the Fourteenth Amendment would not have been necessary. Except that it is not about Citizens of the several States (USA), it is about this new, legislatively created, class of "citizen," that of the United States (in Congress assembled - US)." Simply, it is an effort to appear equivalent to the constitutionally guaranteed Rights retained by the People via the Declaration of Independence, the AOC, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, when in fact they are "distinctly" different and separate from each other.

Therefore, a "citizen of the United States" has no Constitutionally guaranteed Rights, as do Citizens of the several States. They only have those "immunities and privileges" referred to in the Fourteenth Amendment.

If that weren't enough, here's the straw that broke the camels back:

Fourteenth Amendment - Section 5:

"The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provision of this article." [Boldface and underline added]

We should never forget, it is Congress (the United States) ONLY, who has the power over anyone claiming to be a Fourteenth Amendment "citizen of the United States." Not the People, not the Constitution, not the AOC, not even the Creator- just Congress (the United States). What Congress creates, Congress can regulate!

Now, read for yourself what the courts say with regards to the Fourteenth Amendment (Notice the date 1993):

"Privileges and immunities clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects only those rights peculiar to being citizen of the federal government; it does not protect those rights, which relate to state citizenship." [Jones v. Temmer, Federal Supplement, Vol. 829, Page 1227 (1993)] [Boldface and underline added]

So while it is true, the Fourteenth Amendment doesn't protect the Rights of state citizens, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights DO.

We should all remember this because it is everywhere and it is the difference between your Natural Rights, Liberties and Freedoms given to us by the Creator and guaranteed by the Constitution and those Legislative Privileges, under statute law, into which we are being tricked and coerced.

Now you know "the rest of the story" and how it has come to be that over the years, since 1868, we have all come to be "federal citizens" again, without suspending the Constitution or any part of it.

The reality of the Fourteenth Amendment is,

it's an offer of "citizenship"

It is not a replacement or requirement

You can read the Fourteenth Amendment all day long and still will not find where it states that it is a replacement for any other status of citizenship. Neither will you find it saying that anyone is required to accept it. It simply creates it and then later, via certain government programs (i.e. Social Security, BATF 4473, voter registration, etc.), offers it to you and if you accept it, they in turn will "recognize" it and accept it as well and then proceed to claim jurisdiction over YOU for having agreed to it, in writing and under the penalty of perjury. Oh my God. What have we done to ourselves?

In Our Next Issue: A Word About Contracts. Stay Tuned

Forsaken Roots

Did you know that 52 of the 55 signers of the Declaration of Independence were orthodox, deeply committed Christians? The other three all believed in the Bible as the divine truth, the God of scripture, and His personal intervention.

It is the same Congress that formed the American Bible Society. Immediately after creating the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress voted to purchase and import 20,000 copies of scripture for the people of this nation.

Patrick Henry, who is called the firebrand of the American Revolution, is still remembered for his words, "Give me liberty or give me death." But in current textbooks the context of these words is deleted. Here is what he said:

"An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not to the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death."

These sentences have been erased from our textbooks. Was Patrick Henry a Christian? The following year, 1776, he wrote this: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great Nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religious, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here."

Consider these words that Thomas Jefferson wrote on the front of his well-worn Bible: "I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator and, I hope, to the pure doctrine of Jesus also."

Consider these words from George Washington, the Father of our Nation, in his farewell speech on September 19, 1796: "It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. Of all the dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, our religion and morality are the indispensable supporters. Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that our national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

Was George Washington a Christian? Consider these words from his personal prayer book: "Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the lamb and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of thee and thy son, Jesus Christ."

Consider these words by John Adams, our second president, who also served as chairman of the American Bible Society. In an address to military leaders he said, "We have no government armed with the power capable of contending with human passions, unbridled by morality and true religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

How about our first Supreme Court Justice, John Jay? He stated that when we select our national leaders, if we are to preserve our Nation, we must select Christians. "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian Nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."

John Quincy Adams, son of John Adams, was the sixth U.S. President. He was also the chairman of the American Bible Society, which he considered his highest and most important role. On July 4, 1821, President Adams said, "The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity."

Calvin Coolidge, our 30th President of the United States reaffirmed this truth when he wrote, "The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country."

In 1782, the United States Congress voted this resolution: "The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools."

William Holmes McGuffey is the author of the McGuffey Reader, which was used for over 100 years in our public schools with over 125 million copies sold until it was stopped in 1963.

Listen to these words of Mr. McGuffey: "The Christian religion is the religion of our country. From it is derived our notions on the character of God, on the great moral Governor of the universe. On its doctrines are founded the peculiarities of our free institutions. From no source has the author drawn more conspicuously than from the sacred Scriptures. From all these extracts from the Bible I make no apology."

Of the first 108 universities founded in America, 106 were distinctly Christian, including the first, Harvard University, chartered in 1636. In the original Harvard Student Handbook, rule number 1 was that students seeking entrance must know Latin and Greek so that they could study the scriptures:

"Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life, (John 17:3); and therefore to lay Jesus Christ as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of him (Proverbs 2:3)."

For over 100 years, more than 50% of all Harvard graduates were pastors!

It is clear from history that the Bible and the Christian faith, were foundational to our educational and judicial system. However, in 1947, there was a radical change of direction for the Supreme Court. It required ignoring every precedent of Supreme Court ruling for the past 160 years. The Supreme Court ruled in a limited way to affirm a wall of separation between church and State in the public classroom.

In the coming years, this led to removing prayer from public schools in 1962. Here is the prayer that was banished:

"Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence on Thee. We beg Thy blessings upon us and our parents and our teachers and our country. Amen."

In 1963, the Supreme Court ruled that Bible reading was outlawed as unconstitutional in the public school system. The court offered this justification: "If portions of the New Testament were read without explanation, they could and have been psychologically harmful to children."

Bible reading was now unconstitutional, though the Bible was quoted 94 percent of the time by those who wrote our Constitution and shaped our Nation and its system of education and justice and government.

In 1965, the Courts denied as unconstitutional the right of a student in the public school cafeteria to bow his head and pray audibly for his food. In 1980, Stone vs. Graham outlawed the Ten Commandments in our public schools.

The Supreme Court said this:

"If the posted copies of the Ten Commandments were to have any effect at all, it would be to induce school children to read them. And if they read them, mediated upon them, and perhaps venerated and obeyed them, this is not a permissible objective."

Is it not a permissible objective to allow our children to follow the moral principles of the Ten Commandments? James Madison, the primary author of the Constitution of the United States, said this: "We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments."

Today, we are asking God to bless America. But, how can He bless a Nation that has departed so far from Him? Prior to September 11, 2001 He was not welcome in America. Most of what you read in this article has been erased from our textbooks. Revisionists have rewritten history to remove the truth about our country's Christian roots.

Thanks to Michael Haley for the inspiration
mhalay@satx.rr.com


Words to guide us:

"Reverently let us invoke the God of our fathers to guide and protect us in our efforts to perpetuate the principles, which by His blessing they were able to vindicate, establish and transmit to their posterity. With the continuance of His favor ever gratefully acknowledged, we may hopefully look forward to success, to peace and to prosperity."

President Jefferson Davis - February 1861


Look for more quizes in future issues of our newsletter to test your knowledge of American History.


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