An Article V [FN93] convention is a bad idea. C.J. Warren Burger said “there is no effective way to limit or muzzle the actions of a Constitutional Convention [] to one amendment or to one issue, but [] after a Convention is convened it will be too late to stop.” [FN94] Judge 1/21

Robert Bork said why: “the original Philadelphia Convention went well beyond the purposes for which it was called.” [FN95] David Barton [FN96] disagrees and, in support of his opinion that the 1787 Constitutional Convention was not a “runaway” convention, asserts: 2/21

c) “history also shows that throughout the construction of American government, the states had full control over their delegates.” [FN97] As I explained in the last blog, that statement involves specifics: 3/21

a) Location: Philadelphia. [FN98]
b) Start date: May 25, 1787 [FN99]
c) 55 delegates designated by the National Archives as “the Framers.” [FN100]
d) 12 specific States each delegate (w/one exception) represented. [FN101]
e) Finish date: 9/17/1787, Constitution signed. [FN102] 4/21

Travel and communications in 1787 were far more limited than that to which we are accustomed today. [FN103] Given distances and time, it is implausible that a State could have “full control” over its delegates. Also, proceedings of the convention were confidential.... 5/21

Delegates were prohibited from communication w/anyone during the convention. [FN104] Any assurances that a convention could be limited is contradicted by history. However, history is not Barton’s strong suit. [FN105] Incentive exists to convince as many 6/21

as possible that an Article V convention should be called. Once the gavel is banged, they can do a bait-and-switch and scrap the Constitution. I first read reference to Barton in 2025 when IN Lt Gov & Christian Nationalist Micah Beckwith said the 3/5 compromise [FN106] in 7/21

the Constitution was intended to destroy or undermine slavery. IU History Prof Alex Lichtenstein deemed “frankly, laughable” Beckwith’s argument. [FN107] Beckwith, following blowback, referenced Barton’s group. [FN108] On the website for Barton’s group 8/21

was an article, “The Bible, Slavery, and America’s Founders,” that made the assertion Beckwith seems to have quoted. [FN109] Fast-forward to this week: Beckwith, who as IN Lt Gov would chair any ArticleV convention, [FN110] expounded on hate as okay: 9/21

"’I am going to call on others to hate it because I hate Islam,’ Beckwith said. ‘It is a death cult. Now, I love Muslims, because they make great Christians when Jesus gets a hold of them. But I hate Islam. And we need to be OK with hating again.’" [FN111] 10/21

The only reason to call an Article V convention would be to scrap the Constitution. Article V is where the process of amendment is described. [FN112] Of 27 amendments ratified, only one had a convention involved, but only in part for an up/down vote on Amend XXI. 11/21

I have emailed, as an attachment, each of the past several blogs to WallBuilders. I’ve received no response. It’s possible that Barton will disavow any connection or solidarity with Beckwith. And I approve the content of this blog. Hell, I wrote it. 12/21

Footnotes:
FN93. “The Congress ... on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments...” U.S. Const., Art. V. 13/21

FN94. Earl DeGroot, “DeGroot: A Constitutional Convention is a bad idea,” Wyoming Tribune Eagle, 2/8/25, updated 3/15/26, accessed 5/24/26.
FN95. Id. 14/21

FN96. See, David Barton, “An Article V Convention for the States,” WallBuilders, 5/29/23, accessed 5/26/26.
FN97. Id.
FN98. Feb 21, 1787 Report of Proceedings, 1 Elliott’s Debates, p. 120. 15/21

FN99. Congressional resolution had set the beginning of the convention for “the second Monday in May next,” or May 14, 1787. Id. However, a quorum was not reached until May 25. Stewart, “The Summer of 1787,” (2007), p. 47. 16/21

FN100. National Archives, “America’s Founding Documents,” accessed 05/29/25.
FN101. “List of the Members of the Federal Convention, Which Formed the Constitution of the United States” and “Credentials,” 1 Elliott’s Debates pp. 124-39. 17/21

FN102. Stewart, pp. 238-39.
FN103. See, Richard Labunski, “James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Rights,” (2006), pp. 20-21.
FN104. See, . John P Kaminski, “Secrecy and the Constitutional Convention,” Center for the Study of the American Constitution, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2005), p. 7. 18/21

FN105. “David Barton has spread the damaging idea that the separation of church and state is a myth. His historical writings have helped provide a respectable veneer for the rise of radical-right religious ideology over the past several decades.” SPLC, accessed 5/26/26. 19/21

FN106. “Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned ... by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.” Const. Art. I, sec 2, cl 3. 20/21

FN107. Farr, Christian, “Indiana Lt. Governor faces backlash after comments on Three-Fifths Compromise,” NBC Chicago, 4/30/25, accessed 5/4/25.
FN108. Id.
FN109. Id.
FN110. I.C. § 3-10-5-26.
FN111. WDRB Louisville, “Indiana Lt. Gov. Beckwith calls Islam a 'death cult,' says people 'need to be OK with hating again,” 5/29/26, accessed 5/31/26..' 21/21