granted in the constitution adapt to changing circumstances. consequently, our constitution has with stoodthe test of time. the genous of our founders was to establish a constitution firm enough to enshrine freedom and the rule of law as guiding principles, yet flexible enough to sustain a young nation that was destined to grow into the greatest, the richest, most powerful nation on earth. and i might say, one of the most diverse nations on earth. it took more than four score years and a civil war to claim the lives of hundreds of thousands to end the enslavement of african-americans. including citizens, all persons, born and naturalized in the united states. to the civil war amendments that followed, we transformed the constitution into one that more fully embraced equal rights and human dignity. the country and our democracy were stronger for it.