I am inserting for the RECORD the preamble thereof: Persuaded that our common fate depends entirely upon the establishing and rendering perfect a national constitution. convinced by a long train of experience of many defects in our government. and willing to profit by the present circumstances of Europe. and by the favorable moment which has restored us to ourselves. free from the disgraceful shackles of foreign influence. prizing more than life. and every personal consideration. the political existence. external independence. and internal liberty of the nation. whose care is entrusted to us. desirous. moreover. to deserve the blessing and gratitude. not only of our contemporaries. but also of future generations. for the sake of the public good. for securing our liberty. and maintaining our kingdom and our possessions. in order to exert our natural rights with zeal and firmness. we do solemnly establish the present constitution. which we declare wholly inviolable in every part. till such period as shall be prescribed by law. when the nation if it should think fit. and deem necessary. may alter by its express will such articles therein as shall be found inadequate. And this present constitution shall be the standard of all laws and statutes for the future Diets. Throughout the May 3 constitution runs a philosophy of humanitarianism and tolerance. such as: We publish and proclaim a perfect and entire liberty to all people. either who may be newly coming to settle. or those who. having emigrated. would return to their native country. and we declare most solemnly. that any person coming into Poland. from whatever part of the world or returning from abroad. as soon as he sets his foot on the territory of the Republic. becomes free and at liberty to exercise his industry wherever and in whatever manner he pleases. to settle either in towns or villages. to form. and rent lands and houses. on tenures and contracts. for as long a term as may be agreed on. with liberty to remain. or to remove. after having fulfilled the obligations he may have voluntarily entered into. We find in this Polish Constitution. adopted almost contemporaneously with our own Federal Constitution. rule by majority. secret ballot at public elections. and the language relating to religion that: The same holy religion commands us to love our neighbors. we therefore owe to all people of whatever persuasion. peace in matters of faith. and the protection of government. consequently we assure. to all persuasions and religions. freedom. and liberty. according to the laws of the country. and in all dominions of the Republic. Thus it was on May 3 in 1791. barely 2 years after the adoption of its Constitution by the United States in 1789. that Poland without a bloody revolution or even without disorder succeeded in reforming her public life and in eradicating all her internal causes of decline.
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emigrated