Huntsville in Madison County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Alabama’s Constitution And Statehood
Photographed By Tim Carr, June 27, 2009
1. Alabama’s Constitution And Statehood Marker
Inscription.
Alabama’s Constitution And Statehood. . Before statehood, the Alabama Territory had only limited rights of self government. Between July 5 and August 2, 1819, forty-four delegates from across the Territory convened in Huntsville to draft a constitution for statehood. Lawyers, merchants, ministers, planters, farmers, and physicians gathered here to produce a legal framework for self-government to protect the sovereignty of the people. A firm belief in the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches led to one of the most democratic constitutions on the frontier. The document was a mixture of ideas reflecting the diversity of the delegates. The delegates preserved an independent judiciary and the right of the people to elect the governor and legislature by ballot. The constitution included the right to vote on amendments, making Alabama one of the first states in the young country to give its people direct participation in constitutional lawmaking. An entire section was devoted to education, stating that education "shall forever be encouraged in this state", On August 2, 1819 the document was signed on this site in a cabinetmaker's shop, the largest public building in town. Like the delegates themselves, the constitution reflected the interests of every walk of life from frontiersman to professional. On December 14, 1819 President James Monroe signed the constitution and Alabama became the twenty-second state.
Before statehood, the Alabama Territory had only limited rights of self government. Between July 5 and August 2, 1819, forty-four delegates from across the Territory convened in Huntsville to draft a constitution for statehood. Lawyers, merchants, ministers, planters, farmers, and physicians gathered here to produce a legal framework for self-government to protect the sovereignty of the people. A firm belief in the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches led to one of the most democratic constitutions on the frontier. The document was a mixture of ideas reflecting the diversity of the delegates. The delegates preserved an independent judiciary and the right of the people to elect the governor and legislature by ballot. The constitution included the right to vote on amendments, making Alabama one of the first states in the young country to give its people direct participation in constitutional lawmaking. An entire section was devoted to education, stating that education "shall forever be encouraged in this state"
On August 2, 1819 the document was signed on this site in a cabinetmaker's shop, the largest public building in town. Like the delegates themselves, the constitution reflected the interests of every walk of life from frontiersman to professional. On December 14, 1819 President James
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Monroe signed the constitution and Alabama became the twenty-second state.
Erected 1997 by Alabama State Bar and The Huntsville-Madison County Bar Association.
Location. 34° 43.752′ N, 86° 35.034′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of Gates Avenue and Franklin Street S.E. on Gates Avenue. Located near the entrance to the Alabama Constitution Village. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 109 Gates Avenue, Huntsville AL 35801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
4. Inside view of Alabama's Constitution Hall (Cabinetmaker's shop)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,986 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 18, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
