Revolutionary Constitutions:
Democratizing the Courts:
| “That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection and security of the people, nation or community; and not for the particular emolument or advantage of any single man, family or sett of men, who are a part only of that community.” (Pennsylvania Constitution - 1776, Article 5)
“By this mode of election and continual rotation [term limits for state officials], more men will be trained to public business, … the business will be more conveniently conducted, and moreover the danger of establishing an inconvenient aristocracy will be effectually prevented.” (Pennsylvania Constitution - 1776, Article 19) |
EMPIRE OF LAWS - The Legal History of the 50 American States > 2. MID-ATLANTIC LEGAL HISTORY > 2.2. The Mid-Atlantic States: The Early Republican Era (1776-1825) >