I have no idea what got me thinking about my rights, but all of sudden I was looking up the Bill of Rights. Of course, that is the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the U. S. Yes, I do know. I heard a question on a quiz show and the contestants did not know the answer.

The first source I found listed the amendments. I read through them but noticed the language seemed a little different. When I happened upon the request for a donation, I paused. What had I gotten into? This site was not the original Bill of Rights that I was looking for.

Another search led me to the original version which was far different. This is the version I was interested in. I wanted the one that was part of the Constitution at the beginning. Incidentally, only seventeen more amendments have been added to the Constitution in more than 200 years!

The original Bill of Rights is located in the National Archives Museum. It is located on the same street as The White House just a little further down the street.

When I got over to my daughters on Christmas Day, they were just finishing up opening their gifts. Would you believe that she sent for a copy of the Bill of Rights for her husband and children? They were in their stockings. She told them she carries a copy with her most of the time. I am not sure why, but I suspect she wants to be prepared to defend them.

Here I will list the rights guaranteed to each individual, but will abbreviate them so as to make them more understandable. If you are interested, look up the original version under the section on the archives.

1 – Congress shall make no law on the establishing of religion prohibiting the free exercise thereof. This is also the bill that guarantees us freedom of speech and the right to assemble peacefully. This bill is referred to on a regular basis so you have most likely heard of it.

2 – This amendment establishes a well-organized Militia and guarantees citizens the right to keep and bear arms. Another right which we hear about often.

3 – No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

4 – The right of the people to be secure in their person, houses, papers, and effect against unreasonable searches and seizures. No warrants may be issued without probable cause.

5 – 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 law or naval forces or in the Militia. No person shall be compelled in any criminal case to bear witness against himself. Guarantees due process of the law. No property may be taken for public use without just compensation. No one can be subject to prosecution for the same offense twice. Although this amendment is most often quoted as the one about not testifying against oneself, you can see there is a lot more here.

6 – In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime was committed. He has the right to know the witnesses against him and to ascertain witnesses in his favor. He has the right to adequate counsel to represent him.

7 – Refers to cases in which the suits in common law where the value shall exceed $20.00. The right of trial by jury shall be preserved and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the U.S.

8 – Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

9 – The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

10 – The powers not delegated to the government, nor prohibited by it to the states are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. This one is important since I see things that are not being done correctly. In reference especially to abortion, that right seems to be left to the states and should not be a national issue.

All of these rights are guaranteed to everyone. Read through them and think about them. Are we still holding these rights or we losing some of them? I am not attorney. But I perceive that some of these are in jeopardy. In reference to freedom of religion, we are guaranteed the right to exercise our rights. We are guaranteed freedom of speech. We are guaranteed the right to assemble, peacefully.

Here I think of a government course that I took in college. Incidentally, I got an A in the course because it really interested me. While that was a long time ago, these rights have not changed since then. That in itself makes them interesting.

We certainly do not want to relinquish any of our rights. Be an informed citizen.

Ann R. Swanson writes from her home in Russell. Contact her at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.