Sheriff David Clarke recently discussed his commitment to defending the U.S. Constitution. He noted that while the 13th and 14th Amendments freed American slaves– it was the Second Amendment that truly won their freedom.
Clarke began by explaining history. He said:
Now as it relates to the Second Amendment, it has special meaning to me, and here’s why. As you know, when this country was formed, this Constitution didn’t apply to the slaves. But guess what, this Constitution allowed the brilliance of the Founding Fathers. This Constitution allowed for us to eventually get it right.
“And we did with the 13th Amendment that freed the slaves. But the 13th Amendment only freed the slaves on paper. And many of you may know it was the 14th Amendment equal protection clause that said this document applies to all citizens in the United States and that included newly freed slaves.”
Clarke emphasized that it was the right to self-defense that enables freedom– for everyone. He added:
My ancestors fought as well as the Founding Fathers for this document to apply to us. Let me tell you what Frederick Douglas said about the right of self-defense. Douglas strongly supported the right of fugitive slaves to have and use weapons to resist kidnapping.
“‘When government fails to protect the just right of any individual man, that man rests on his original right of self-defense, even if it means shooting down his pursuers.’
“‘Slavery is a system of brute force. It must be met with its own weapons.’ He went on to say ‘that freedom is worth fighting for. Slaves plus guns equal freedom. The abolition of slavery was inevitably due to the arming of blacks.’ Now if you think for one minute that I’m going to cede these rights back to the federal government or any government or any court, you’d better think again.”
He’s made his commitment quite clear to the American public: pledging:
Ladies and gentlemen I will fight for your rights under this document like it were my right and it is. And I will die fighting for this document.”
If only members of Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court upheld the Constitution as Sheriff Clarke does.
April 6, 2016