Sorry, you have it backwards. The people have rights, and the rights are presumed to pre-exist the US constitution. The government has powers delegated to it by the people via the constitution.
The Federalists argued that the Bill of Rights was redundant and unnecessary. The Anti-federalists were more skeptical of human nature, and the ratification of the constitution by several states was contingent on the first congress adding a bill of roghts via amendment.
George Mason, rep of 1st congressional district of Virginia to the first congress, was what we would call the “floor manager” of the bill. It was stonewalled by opponents, and eventually the bill had to be broken into a package of 12 amendments. 11 passed the house and were sent to the states for ratification. 10 were ratified rather quickly and are what we know as the BoR. The 11th was certified as ratified sometime in the 1970’s, I believe.
The Federalists argued that the Bill of Rights was redundant and unnecessary. The Anti-federalists were more skeptical of human nature, and the ratification of the constitution by several states was contingent on the first congress adding a bill of roghts via amendment.
George Mason, rep of 1st congressional district of Virginia to the first congress, was what we would call the “floor manager” of the bill. It was stonewalled by opponents, and eventually the bill had to be broken into a package of 12 amendments. 11 passed the house and were sent to the states for ratification. 10 were ratified rather quickly and are what we know as the BoR. The 11th was certified as ratified sometime in the 1970’s, I believe.
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