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The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

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ceded by Virginia. It embraced <strong>the</strong> area now<br />

occupied by <strong>the</strong> <strong>States</strong> <strong>of</strong> Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,<br />

Michigan, Wisconsin, and a part <strong>of</strong> Minnesota.<br />

During <strong>the</strong> time when <strong>the</strong> constitutional convention<br />

was holding its sittings, <strong>the</strong> Congress <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Confederation was considering <strong>the</strong> matter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

government <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Northwest Territory. On July<br />

13, 1787, that body passed <strong>the</strong> ordinance for <strong>the</strong><br />

government <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Northwest Territory. It is one <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> finest statues <strong>of</strong> statecraft that has ever been<br />

erected. It was sculptured by <strong>the</strong> same hand that<br />

chiseled <strong>the</strong> Declaration <strong>of</strong> Independence. Its<br />

existence and binding efficacy were expressly<br />

recognized in <strong>the</strong> legislation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first Congress<br />

under <strong>the</strong> Constitution, that <strong>of</strong> 1789. It contains this<br />

provision:--<br />

“Sec. 13. And for extending <strong>the</strong> fundamental<br />

principles <strong>of</strong> civil and religious liberty, which form<br />

<strong>the</strong> basis whereon <strong>the</strong>se republics, <strong>the</strong>ir laws and<br />

constitutions, are erected; to fix and establish those<br />

principles as <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong> all laws, constitutions,<br />

and governments which forever hereafter shall be<br />

formed in <strong>the</strong> said Territory; to provide, also, for<br />

192

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