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Who are the subjects and beneficiaries of the Constitution, as stated clearly in the preamble?
The answer? "… to ourselves and our posterity …"
The word "ourselves" in this context refers to those men who wrote it – and to their generation of Americans.
"Posterity," which literally means "descendants" or all succeeding generations, refers, in this context, to all those Americans yet unborn.
Is your great, great, great, great granddaughter your posterity? Absolutely. Is she born yet? Absolutely not. Does the fact that she is not yet born make her any less your posterity? No.
"Amendment V: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
Clearly, the Fifth Amendment establishes that our posterity – those yet unborn – shall not be deprived of life without due process. Bingo!
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