The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-31
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 81, 1866.
The President on the Constitution.

like that of the United States. The process
of forming the Constitution Of our Federal
Government was an arduous and protracted
one, in which the best and purest minds OF
that period took part. With all the light
reflected upon their labors by the experience
of preceding ages, there was great difficulty
in adjusting the various opinions and con-
flicting interests that impeded the task; and
it was exceedingly doubtful, even up to the
closing sessions OF the Convention, whether
the plan finally proposed could or would
receive the necessary vote in its favor And
when, afterwards, the Constitution agreed
upon in convention in this city was submitted
for ratification to the people of the several
States, there was much apprehension felt that
the instrument might not receive the required
assent of nine out Of the thirteen States of the
old federation, and therefore fail OF adoption
altogether.
The felicity of its operation during eighty
odd years of trial, with but few material
amendments in all that long interval OF time,
forcibly attests the almost perfect fitness of
the organic law of the National Government
to the purposes and ends it was designed to
meet, as we'll as the rare wisdom and fore
sight OF those enlightened statesmen who
were its authors.
These facts in the constitutional history of
the Republic should strongly engage popular
reverence for framework of government
which cost so much to secure it in the begin
ming, and which no ordinary men could have
devised. But as innovations on any system of
civil order, once begun, are apt to breed
passion for change rather for its own sake
than for any substantial improvement, either
urgently needed or clearly perceived, they
are to be ardently discouraged, as adapted to
lead to some underlined extent, and to the
most disastrous consequences.
This spirit is exhibited just now in re-
markable manner, and to an unprecedented
degree, by certain members OF the present
Congress; and it is not at all surprising that
the President regards the matter with de-
cided disiavor. In a recent conversation of
Lis with distinguished Senator, Mr.. JOHN
SON is reported to have said:-
propositions 10 amend the Constitution are
becoming as numerous as preamDes and reSo-
lutions at town meetings, called to consider the
most ordinary questions connected with the
COMMUNICATION of local affairs. All this, in my
opinion, has a tendency to diminish the dignity
and prestige attached TO the Constitution the
country and to lessen the respect and confidence
of the people In their great charter OF freedom"
This is strong language, but not whit too
strong for the occasion. 1t justly rebukes
that silly propensity of certain class poll
ticians to be perpetually tinkering at the most
sacred forms and established provisions Of
government in our land; just as if they were
wiser than our fathers, and could improve,
by almost any ill-considered and immatured
alterations, the fabrics of social organization
and civil administration which those seemingly
inspired sages constructed and bequeathed to
us. Indeed, as the President more than inti-
mates, there is a levity of temper and an itch
ing meddlesomeness of disposition displayed
with respect to amending the Constitution Of
the United States, which find their reflection
in the volubility of stump orators and the
miserable platitudes Of those who scribble the
"preambles and resolutions of town meetings"
Andwe entirely agree with him in thinking that
all such trifing with so grave matter as the
Federal Constitution is fitted to sink that
deservedly venerable instrument in popular
respect, and to diVest it of very much Of that
august sanctity which should be constantly
preserved as one Of the most etficacious
muniments of its integrity and safety.
Nor is the President without high autho-
rity for the profound sagacity and wholesome
conservatism OF the views he has so lately
expressed in reference to this subject. WASH
INGToN, in his farewell Address" to the
people of the United States, uttered like SEN
timents in the following impressive admoni-
tion:-"Towards the preservation of your
Government, and the permanency OF your
present happy state, it is requisite not only
that you steadily dscountenance irregular
oppositiOns to its acknowledged authority, but
also thut you resist NTH care, the spirit Of
innovation upon its principles, holoeUer Spe
ciOus the pretert. One method OF assault may
be to effect, in the forms of the Constitution
alterations which will impair the energy o
the system, and thus to undermine what can
not be directly oVerthIown. In all the changes
to which you may be invited remember tba
time and habit are at least as necessary to a!
the true character of governments as of othe
human institutions; that experience is tn
surest standard by which to test the real ten
dency of the existing Constitution Of coun
try; and that facility In changes, upon tn
credit of mere hypothesis and opinion, expose
to perpetual damage, from the endless variet
OF hypothesis and opinion"
But it would seem that number-w