by George Washington. Their four months' labor resulted in the Constitution. They had received their accreditation from the citizens of twelve independent states, each of which was protective of the liberty they provided their citizenry, and not disposed to grant any more power to a central government than necessary to attain the security sought. And the power granted would have to be ratified by a majority of delegates selected by the citizens from each of at least three-fourths of the States. Ratification was gained and a government under the Constitution was declared in effect on March 4, 1789.

To win approval, the Framers designed a federal government limited to specific powers of a national character. Its powers were divided into legislative, executive and judicial grants at the urging of delegates like the "Father" of the Constitution, James Madison. The reason for this uniquely American form of government was stated in the 1780 Massachusetts Constitution similarly dividing governmental power, "...to the end that it may be a government of laws and not of men."

Article I vested all federal legislative powers "in a Congress... which shall consist of a Senate (each State being guaranteed two senators) and House of Representatives."

Article II vested the federal executive power in a President, who was made the commander-in-chief of the armed services.

Article III vested the federal judicial power in one Supreme Court and "in such inferior courts as the Congress shall establish," whose judges have life tenure.

In Part II, entitled Promises to Secure Liberty, I describe certain constitutional promises to secure liberty, and the way a number of them were invoked in the course of the road to Brown:

A number of patriots, led by Patrick Henry, strenuously opposed the adoption of the Constitution, directing much concern toward its lack of explicit