vision settles definitely, and in what would seem to be
unmistakable terms, the question of supremacy, about which so much
discussion has been carried on. Within its sphere, within the limitations
placed upon it by the constitution itself, the national government has the
supremacy over any and all state governments.

_Clause 3.--Oath of Office._

_The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the members of the
several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both
of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or
affirmation, to support this constitution;[1] but no religious test shall
ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under
the United States.[2]

[1] The first law passed by congress under the constitution was an act
prescribing the form of the oath required by the provision above. It is as
follows: "I, A. B., do solemnly swear, or affirm (as the case may be),
that I will support the constitution of the United States."

[2] In all other countries at the time of the adoption of this
constitution eligibility to public office was limited to members of the
established church of the country. This constitution set the example of
abolishing religious tests for public office, and the wisdom of this is so
apparent that it has been followed entirely or in part by many of the
civilized nations.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

ARTICLE VII.--RATIFICATION OF THIS CONSTITUTION.

_The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient
for the establishment of this constitution between the states so ratifying
the same._

Nine states made two-thirds of the entire number. Eleven states ratified
the constitution within nine months of the time of its submission to them.
As soon as nine states had ratified, congress made arrangements for
putting the new form of government into operation.

The mode of ratification herein specified ignored the existence of the
articles of confederation, and in specifying this mode the convention
disregarded the instructions of the congress which called it. The congress
had expressly provided that the work of the convention should be submitted
to the congress and the state legislatures for approval. But this
provision places the power to ratify in the hands of conventions elected
by the people in the several states, which arrangement is in harmony with
the opening words of the preamble.

_Pertinent Quest