Knowledge Is the Foundation of Liberty
Articles, documents, and reference materials to inform the people of Missouri of their rights, their history, and the constitutional foundations of self-governance.
Founding Documents
These documents form the foundation of all lawful authority in this republic. Every citizen ought to know them.
The supreme law of the land, establishing the structure of the federal government and enumerating its limited powers. Article IV, Section 4 guarantees to every state a Republican form of government.
Read the Full Text →The first ten amendments to the Constitution, recognizing the fundamental rights retained by the people — including the rights of assembly, speech, and due process that undergird the Jural Assembly.
Read the Full Text →The foundational statement of American political philosophy: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed with unalienable rights, and that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.
Read the Full Text →The fundamental law of the State of Missouri, establishing the rights of Missouri citizens and the structure of state government. Article I declares the rights of Missouri citizens, including the right to assemble.
Read the Full Text →Key Constitutional Provisions
"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence."
This provision is the constitutional guarantee upon which the Jural Assembly rests. It obligates the federal government to ensure that every state maintains a Republican — not administrative, not oligarchic — form of government.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
The right to peaceably assemble is not a privilege — it is a recognized, protected right. The Missouri General Jural Assembly exercises this right as a body of the people convened for lawful purposes.
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
The people retain rights and powers beyond those enumerated. The authority of the people to assemble, deliberate, and act in their own governance is among those retained rights — recognized, not granted, by the Constitution.
Glossary of Terms
Understanding the precise meaning of foundational terms is essential to understanding the Jural Assembly and its lawful basis.
Further Study
The following topics are recommended for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the constitutional republic and the rights of the people.
A collection of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, explaining the principles and purposes of the Constitution. Essential reading for understanding the founders' intent.
The foundational treatise on English common law, which formed the basis of American law. Understanding Blackstone is essential to understanding the common law rights recognized by the Constitution.
Essays written in opposition to ratification of the Constitution, arguing for stronger protections of individual rights and state sovereignty. Their concerns led directly to the adoption of the Bill of Rights.
The foundational statutory provisions of the State of Missouri, establishing the sovereignty of the state and the rights of its citizens under state law.