Celebrating our Freedom
Posted July 3, 2008

As we take time from our busy schedules to celebrate the 232nd anniversary of our nation’s independence, we would like to take a moment to look at an often-forgotten document in New Jersey’s own history: our first state constitution.

Adopted on July 2, 1776, the original New Jersey Constitution was a far cry from a documentation of colonial eloquence and pioneering ideals of liberty. Rather, it was a hastily-compiled blueprint for functional state government. As the official State of New Jersey website notes, “New Jersey was a state at war and quite nearly a state at civil war; the Constitution of 1776 reflects the turbulence and uncertainty of the period. It was a document composed during a state of emergency in order to provide a basic framework of government without which New Jersey would collapse into anarchy.”

In July of 1776, our nation was, indeed, in perilous times. Although we celebrate Independence Day on July 4, the date our Declaration of Independence from Great Britain was officially adopted, the Continental Congress actually passed the original resolution of independence, breaking the colonies’ ties to Great Britain, on July 2. On that day, 12 of the 13 colonies (New York abstained) “Resolved That these united colonies are and of rights ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the british [sic] crown and that all political connection between them and the state of great [sic] Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved.”

So monumental was the Continental Congress’s decision and subsequent signing of the Declaration of Independence that Benjamin Franklin noted, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” Indeed, by declaring independence, the colonists had committed treason.

In this tumultuous climate, New Jersey rushed to establish an operational framework for state government. The state website notes, “The document was composed in the span of five days and ratified within 48 hours as a temporary charter of government. What the designers of the document did not foresee was that it would be the founding component of New Jersey government for the next 68 years.”

Furthermore,

Since the Constitution of 1776 was composed as a stopgap measure, it did not usher in any real innovations in democratic government. In one sense the document is very pragmatic; it does not so much appeal to eternal and self-evident principles as do the Declaration of Independence and the constitutions of some of the other states.

Nevertheless, this lack of idealism should in no way denigrate the document that guided our state for nearly seven decades.

What did the document say?  In a mere 2452 words, New Jersey’s first constitution reiterated our independence, established our executive, legislative, and judicial branches, provided guidelines for electing representatives, outlined requirements for voters and officeholders, guaranteed religious freedom, prohibited the establishment of any one religious sect in the province, and, in short, laid the foundation for the future of the state that would become known as the Garden State.

As we celebrate July 4th this year, we encourage you to learn more about our state’s important history by reading New Jersey’s first constitution. And, for even more insight into the greatness of America, take time to explore the first constitutions of several of the other original 13 states. You may be surprised by what you find!

The NJFPC wishes you and your family a safe and healthy July 4th holiday.

 

 

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