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Wednesday, November 27, 2002

THIRD AMENDMENT (1791)

When the time came for the House of Representatives to debate the new Constitution in 1789, South Carolina Rep. Thomas Sumter -- the famous fort was named after him -- was recorded in the official proceedings with these thoughts: "Mr. Sumter hoped soldiers would never be quartered on the inhabitants, either in time of peace or war, without the consent of the owner." Without such a guarantee against occupation, Sumter said, "their property would lie at the mercy of men irritated by a refusal, and well disposed to destroy the peace of the family."

Two-hundred-thirteen years later, when Sgts. Matthew Friedline, left, and Greg Gittner prepared to deploy to Fort Dix, N.J., in response to the terrorist crisis, nobody thought for a moment about posting them with an area family. The Army reservists bivouacked at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Pittsburgh International Airport

Amendment III: No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.