Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States, once said, “The Constitution was not made to fit us like a straight jacket. In its elasticity lies its chief greatness.” In 1787 the delegates from twelve out of thirteen sates attended the Constitutional Convention. They threw away the Articles of Confederation and wrote Constitution of the United States. Many residences were hesitant to the sudden change, but as time went along people came around to the fact that the Constitution was useful. Although the Constitution is viewed as completely binding, it does allow for changes to be made, giving it flexibility to the changing times.
The Constitution stretches to fit the times and in the year 1787, slavery was the topic of conversation. Delegates at the Constitutional Convention discussed whether or not the Slave Trade should be acceptable or banned. William Livingston, a delegate from New Jersey, recommended a plan to restrict slavery for twelve years. He thought that by giving the country time to run its course with slavery and the matter would diminish,
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The Federal and State governments have some of the same powers (ADD EXAMPLES). With the over lapping powers it allows the states to have government power, but still keep most of the power under the rule of the federal government. While it may seem that because the Constitution does not show/tell all of the delegated powers, does not mean that the Constitution is completely flexible. The powers are known specifically for each part. Some may think that because of the Constitution’s unclear definition of powers, the powers can be up for interpretation. However, there is no part up for interpretation in the 10th Amendment. Some rules or laws might be changed or removed, but the power the parts of government have stay the same giving the US’s government the ability to only strengthen, and not