A Toast to the Constitution

We are now well into the observance of America's 250^th birthday celebration marked by the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Though our Constitution was not signed by the framers in Philadelphia until September 17, 1787, and ratified by the required nine states until May 1790, it, rightfully, is central to our birthday commemoration.

 

Here, between Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, and in the spirit of our nation's year-long celebration, I want to offer a toast to the Constitution. While there's not a time when toasting the Constitution would not be in order, it seems especially fitting to do so between those two special national holidays.

 

This toast is not my own, but a truly noteworthy and memorable one offered by my good friend Leonard Leo, the Co-Chairman of the Federalist Society, at the Society's recent 2025 National Lawyers Convention.

 

But first a bit of historical backdrop.

 

During Lafayette's 1824 farewell tour of America, he visited both Monticello and Montpelier, the homes of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. During one notable celebration commemorating his return to America, Lafayette, Jefferson, and Madison were all present for an elegant dinner held at the nearby Orange Court House. At the dinner, Madison praised Lafayette, and thirteen ceremonial toasts were made, including one honoring Madison himself, already known as the "Father of the Constitution."

 

Madison’s toast praised Lafayette’s devotion to the principles of the American Revolution, and he also offered his own "toast to the Constitution."

 

Now, here is Leonard Leo's "Toast to the Constitution" delivered at the Federalist Society's Antonin Scalia Memorial Dinner on November 6, 2025.

 

"May it endure as a source of awe and joy, reminding us of how fortunate we are to live in this great country.

 

May it endure as a source of wisdom and understanding, instructing us about the relationship between the dignity and worth of a person and the limits on government power.

 

May it endure as a source of self-restraint and prudence, admonishing both our leaders to respect the limits of authority and the voters to demand that respect.

 

May it endure as an example of what can be achieved when leaders unite the virtues of wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance.

 

And may it endure as a charter of self-government that binds the American people together in the mutual pursuit of that which is good and just."

 

Leonard Leo's toast is surely worthy of committing to memory as we celebrate America's 250 Birthday!