ied by a still larger majority (three-fourths)
of the states. It was thought better to submit occasionally to some
temporary inconvenience, than to indulge in frequent amendments of the
constitution.

Sec.3. The 6th article acknowledges the obligation of the general
government to pay "all debts contracted before the adoption of the
constitution." As has been observed, congress had borrowed money for the
payment of which it was unable to provide; and one object of a change
of government was to make provision for fulfilling the engagements of
the nation. This clause, it is said, was also intended to allay the
fears of public creditors, who apprehended that a change in the
government would release the nation from its obligations.

Sec.4. The next clause declares, "This constitution, and the laws made in
pursuance thereof, and all treaties made under the authority of the
United States, shall be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in
every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or
laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding." If all state
authorities were not bound by the constitution and laws of the United
States, nothing would have been gained by the union. If the laws and
treaties made by the general government could be disregarded or
nullified by any power in a state, why was power to make them given to
the general government?

Sec.5. The last clause of the 4th article requires certain officers, both
of the United States and of the several states to be "bound by oath or
affirmation to support this constitution." Binding the conscience of
public officers by oath or solemn affirmation, has ever been considered
necessary to secure a faithful performance of their duties. They are
generally required to swear not only to support the constitution, but
also to discharge the duties of their offices to the best of their
ability.

Sec.6. The same clause declares that "no religious test shall ever be
required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the
United States." _Test_ here means an oath or a declaration in favor of
or against certain religious opinions, as a qualification for office. In
England, all officers, civil and military, were formerly obliged to make
a declaration against transubstantiation, and to assent to the doctrines
and conform to the rules of the established church. Desirous of securing
to every citizen the full enjoyment of religious liberty, the
introduct