Bill of Rights One of the 10 Amendments - Essay Example

The UN Human Rights day and the guidelines put forward by the United Nations for the nations of the world to follow towards ensuring the human rights of their citizens is a testimony of the importance of such rights. The first ten amendments of the US constitution basically comprises of; Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition; Right to keep and bear arms; Conditions for quarters of soldiers; Right of search and seizure regulated; Provisions concerning prosecution; Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc.

; Right to a trial by jury; Excessive bail, cruel punishment; Rule of construction of Constitution; Rights of the States under Constitution Though some countries had such rights included in their constitution prior to the US, but most of the nations were subsequently guided by these amendments towards protecting their citizens. But the passage of the Bill of Rights in the US was also criticized by some congressmen in the early stages of its introduction. It was being said that, "in the Federal Government they are unnecessary, because the powers are enumerated, and it follows, that all that are not granted by the constitution are retained; that the constitution is a call of powers, the great residuum being the rights of the people; and, therefore, a bill of rights cannot be so necessary as if the residuum was thrown into the hands of the Government.

" While admitting that such arguments are not without basis, James Madison responded to such criticism by stating that2, "It is true, the powers of the General Government are circumscribed, they are directed to particular objects; but even if government keeps within those limits, it has certain discretionary powers with respect to the means, which may admit of abuse to a certain extent". This was the underlying thought which worked towards the formation of the basic rights of the citizens, even in extreme cases.