New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-01
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES.

Though the Constitution as it was, the Re-
bellion and all that caused it, lie behind us,
buried under nearly generation of human ex-
perience and progress, it cannot be considered
a waste of time to review in the light of that
experience what the Constitution really was,
and whether it has really been wisely changed
in language or in Interpretation. The Macon
Telegraphu admits nearly everything of prac-
teal Importance in saying, "The changes over
which The TRIBUNE reioices are accomplished
facts. Those are few who deny the good ef-
fects of most of them" Yet against these
benefcent changes great armies desperately
fought. and the sons Of those who then battled
for the wrong now labor to convince themselves
that their fathers were wise and patriotic in
opposing the progress made.
Their opposition was not the worst These
fathers not only resisted by peaceful and legal
means necessary end benefcent interpretations
and alterations Of the Constitution. In fool
sh effort 10 prevent such changes they re-
sorted to rebellion, cast off the rightful au-
thority of the Government, and did what they
could to destroy the Constitution entirely, and
the Union which it formed, and the priceless
hopes of mankind which depended upon Ameri-
can loyalty to self government. That was not
merely mistake; it was treason. For treason,
and all its infamous incidents and consequences,
these men are censured by every liberty-lovng
citizen of any land, and not for merely advo-
eating a mistaken Interpretation Of the Con-
stitution. They had a right to urge, by all
lawful and peaceful means, that the Constitu-
ton should be construed according to their be-
liefs To take arms and rebel against a de-
cision, or rather against an apprehended de-
cision by constitutional authorities contrary to
their wishes was to become traitors to the Re-
public and to the cause of self-government
everywhere.
So much having been made clear, the ques-
ton of constitutional Interpretation may be
treated frankly. Certain Of the trainers of the
Constitution insisted upon one construction,
and others upon another. Differing thus,
both agreed to the Constitution as it was, and
in that instrument to the provisions for its
amendment and Interpretation. Both thereby
bound themselves to submit to the authority
of the Government, and to the Constitution as
it might be interpreted or amended by the
methods therein prescribed. Those who were
not in harmony with prO-slavery interpreta-
zion did render loyal obedience to the Govern
ment for many years, though believing that its
supreme law was wrongly interpreted and great
ly needed amendment. But as soon as there
was occasion to apprehend that different con-
struction would prevail the advocates of q pro-
slavery Interpretation took arms and became
rebels. No one denied that slavery was in
trenched in the very framework Of the Gov
eminent, particularly in the provision for repre-
sentation. But one side denied and the other
claimed that the institution was so intrenched
as to make it the supreme law of the land in
the Territories. That false Interpretation would
probably have been swept away without war
Rebellion came, and the Constitution was so
amended as to get rid of slavery not only in
Territories but everywhere else. So Of ali
other changes the interpretations in Demo
cratic or pro- slavery times would have been
modified by the proper tribunals after differ
ent political force had arisen and prevailed.
But rebellion gave to the loyal far greater
power, both as to construction by the proper
tribunals and as to amendment. The power
wrongly abandoned by those who rebelled was
wisely used for the welfare of the country in
the MAN, as "The Macon Telegraph" now adj
mits
1t is happy thing for the country that the
trainers Ct the Constitution, in their ignorance
of the future, were not permitted to decide
too precisely questions upon which the destiny
of the Nation depended. Had that ignorance
fettered the Government. as it possibly might
have done if questions then beyond the scope
Of conjecture had been definitely raised. the
grand nationality that we have to-day might
have been rendered impossible In reverent
thankfulness to the Infinite Power which guild
ed the Nations birth, all citizens may now re-
ioice that the trainers Of the Constitution never
imagined railway, a telegraph line, or dozen
States in rebellion.