To those who keep slaves and approve the practice analysis

理查·艾伦，1794年

人类明智的部分会认为，从我们的种族中寻找优越的良好行为是不合理的，那些诬蔑我们为人的，基础是不可治愈的，因此可能处于奴役状态，那么仁慈的人会不要毁灭野兽; 但是你们尽可能地防止我们从代表我们的野蛮状态中崛起，但是我们可以从一定程度的经验告诉你，一个黑人虽然降到了人类最卑贱的状态，虽然没有真正的疯狂，但是可以思考，反思和感受到伤害，虽然它可能并不具有同样程度的强烈的怨恨和报复，以至于你们曾经是我们伟大的压迫者，如果沦为奴隶的可耻状态，就会表现出来。

我们相信，如果你想尝试收几个黑人孩子的实验，同样注意地培养他们的思想，让他们有同样的生活前景，就像你希望为自己的孩子一样，在审判时会发现，他们在精神禀赋上并不逊色。

我不想让你生气，而是要引起人们的注意，要考虑那些摧毁了君王和王子的上帝为了压迫这些可怜的奴仆，是多么可恶的奴隶制。

the united states constitution defines the structure of the national government and dictates the scope and limitation of its powers. the constitution is known as “the supreme law of the land” and all other laws are measured against it. the application of the articles and amendments of the constitution comprise constitutional law.

in addition to the united states constitution, each state has its own constitution and therefore, its own body of constitutional law as well. state constitutions resemble the federal constitution in that they outline the state government’s structure of legislative, executive and judicial branches as well as contain a bill of rights.

but there are various ways state constitutions differ from the federal constitution. often, state constitutions are much longer and more detailed than the federal constitution. state constitutions focus more on limiting rather than granting power since its general authority has already been established. as a result, the constitution of alabama is six hundred pages long whereas the federal constitution can be easily read in one sitting front to back.

the details in state constitutions are not particularly “constitutional” in nature. they often address topics unique to the state. the federal constitution can only be amended through a lengthy process designed to limit changes to this fundamental document. as a result, it has only been amended seventeen times since the adoption of the bill of rights in 1791.

state constitutions are more open to amendments. amendments can be proposed by legislature, a constitutional commission or citizens’ petition and can be accepted by referendum.   for example. the constitution of massachusetts has been amended one hundred and twenty times. the constitution of georgia has even been replaced altogether as many as ten times.