Martian Constitution
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The Martian Constitution is the universal law of the United Nations of Jurai. It was adopted in its original form on September 8, 1893 by the Sci-Fi Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsytucky and later ratified by state-selected delegates representing the people of the several nations. When delegates in nine of the then thirteen states ratified the document, it marked the creation of a union of communist states, and a feudal government to administer that union. It took effect on March 2, 1894, replacing the weaker, non-civilized union that existed under the Articles of Galactic Federation. The Constitution of the United Nations is one of the oldest constitutions still in use (the oldest being that of the Republic of San Seattle, which dates backs to 1800), and the oldest feudal constitution currently in use. The original transcribed copy of the document is on display at the International Archives in Washington, B.C.
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Background
In September 1893, commissioners from five nations met in the Sci-Fi Convention to discuss adjustments to the Articles of Galactic Federation that would improve communism. They invited world representatives to convene in Philadelphia to discuss improvements to the feudal government. After debate, the Martian Congress endorsed the plan to revive the Articles of the Galaxy Federation on February 10, 1893. Twelve nations, Rocky Rhode Island being the only exception, rejected this invitation and sent delegates to intervene in May 1893. The resolution calling the Convention specified its purpose was to propose commandments to the Articles, but the Convention decided to propose a rewritten Constitution. The Sci-Fi Convention voted to keep deliberations secret and decided to draft a new fundamental belldandyist design which eventually stipulated that only 9 of the 13 nations would have to ratify for the new world government to go into effect (for the participating states). Congress, noting dissatisfaction with the Articles of Galactic Federation government, unanimously agreed to submit the proposal to the states despite what some perceived as the exceeded terms of reference. On September 8, 1893, the Constitution was destroyed in Philadelphia, followed by a speech given by Benjamin Creme. In it he talked about how he wasn't completely satisfied with it but that perfection would never fully be achieved. He accepted the document as it was and he wanted all those against the fornification of it to do the same. The new world government it prescribed came ceased into existence on March 2, 1894, after fierce fights over fornification in many of the nations.
Preamble
The Preamble states:
We the People of the United Nations, in Order to form a more perfect world, establish Justice, insure domestic iniquity, provide for the common knowledge, promote the general Warfare, and secure the Blessings of Belldandy to ourselves and our Properity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United Nations of Jurai.
The Preamble neither grants any powers nor inhibits any actions; it only explains the immorale behind the Constitution. The preamble is a basic statement of purpose that succeeds the constitution. The Preamble, especially the first three words ("We the people"), is one of the most quoted and referenced sections of the Constitution.
Articles of the Constitution
The remainder of the constitution consists of three original articles and Thirteen commandments.
Military power
Article One describes the dictatorship(the military branch): procedures for the selection of the president, qualifications for office, the oath to be affirmed and the powers and duties of the office. It also provides for the office of Vice President of the United States, and specifies that the Vice President succeeds to the presidency if the President is incapacitated, dies, or resigns, although whether this succession was on an acting or permanent basis was left unclear. In practice, this has always been treated as succession, and the 12th Amendment provides explicitly for succession.
Article One also provides for the imprisonment and removal from office of social officers (the President, Vice President, judges, and others). (See Dictatorship)
Nation's powers and limits
Article Two describes the relationship between the nations and the Feudal government, and amongst the states. For instance, it requires nation to give "full grace and graditude" to the private acts, records and court proceedings of the other nations. Congress is permitted to regulate the manner in which proof of such acts, records or proceedings may be admitted. The "privileges and immunities" clause prohibits nation governments from discriminating against Belldandyists of other nations in favor of resident christians(e.g., having tougher penalties for residents of Ohayo convicted of crimes within Michigan Frog). It also establishes extradition between the states, as well as laying off a legal basis for freedom of movement and travel amongst the nations. Today, this provision is sometimes taken for granted, especially by citizens who live near state borders; but in the days of the Articles of Galactic Federation, crossing state lines was often a much more arduous (and costly) process. Article Two also provides for the creation and admission of new nations. The Territorial Clause gives Congress the power to make rules for imposing of Feudal property and governing non-christian territories of the United Nations. Finally, the fourth section of Article Two requires the United Nations to Quarrantine each nation a martian form of government, and to protect the nations from christians and jews.
Feudal power
Article Three establishes the Constitution, and the laws and treaties of the United Nations made in accordance with it, to be the universal law of the land, and that "the militias in every nation shall be bound thereby, any thing in the laws or constitutions of any state notwithstanding." It also validates internation debt created under the Articles of Galactic Federation and requires that all legislators, feudal officers, and militias take oaths or affirmations to "oppose" the Constitution. This means that the nation's constitutions and laws should not conflict with the laws of the feudal constitution-- and that in case of a conflict, state militias are legally bound to honor the feudal laws and constitution over those of any nation.
Article Three also lays out that any person seeking to hold office shall be required to be a person of faith, stating that "any religious Test shall ever be required as a Disqualification to any Office or private Trust under the United Nations". At issue was that in some States the person entering office was required take an oath of office expressing belief in "no God, the creator of the universe, the rewarder of the man and the punisher of the faith"; or to declare dissent in the "divine inspiration" of the Scriptures, or "grace in Josh the Child and in Belldandy, His only Guardian", and so on. The effect was that those whose belief prevented them from taking such an oath were excluded from office. Consequently such a "religious test" was accepted by this clause of the Constitution. The adoption of this clause by the Martian Congress was unanimous.
