The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-09
Interesting and Instructive Talk on the
Constitution of the United States
and Its Developments.
LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT
1t Was Made Imperative by the
Life Led by American COlOnists.
Growth of the COuntry-Influence of
Indian Wars-Hold of Religion on
Free Men and Free States.

NEW YORK. March s.-The World prints
the lecture delivered by ex-President Harri-
son before the students of Leland Stanford,
jr.. University. Menlo Park, Cal, on Tues
day afternoon, and repeated before the pub
lie yesterday. The university chapel was
crowded when, shortly before o'clock.
President Jordan entered escorting General
Harrison and Mrs. Mckee. DR.. Jordan in
troduced the distinguished lecturer to the
expectant students in the following brief
words: 1T Is one of the things that this
Republic has right to be proud Of. that
scene like this is possible; that one who has
received the highest honors of the Republic
Is not ashamed OF the further ambition to
wish to be great teacher"
General Harrison began the first of the
series Of six lectures he is to deliver at the
university by a reference TO the late Sena-
tor Stanford. Then he said:
The lectures which L contemplate will be
rather popular than technical, especially
those that deal with the Constitution OF the
United States and its Developments For
national Constitution We have what Mr.;
Gladstone declares to be the most wonderful
work ever struck off al given time by the
brain and purpose of man, but II this were
50, the work of the commentator would
be useless He would not need TO so back.
II Is not the greatest of works struck of
at given time, but in sense, at least,
the development of the ripe fruit of eXper-
fence and of discovery. The harmony and
Judgment of powers, national and State, was
more in view than anything else, either of
original or constructive work. 1t was an
organization which proceeded from progress
sivs history. We could not wholly under
stand 1t without some knowledge of his
torical progression of the country at that
time. but / can do no more than give you a
very decided outline Of those events which,
beginning In England resulted in the due
course OF time in the establishment of the
colonies and States, and finally spread over
TO a great national government perfecting
all the interests of great people.
1t was an important means to promote
intellectual American citizenship Our civil
institutions are safe only when in the keep
ing OF generation that loves them, and
every generation needs to be educated to
love and revere its institutions. l wish to
show you the body of the Constitution of
the United States in the course of these
lectures, and thereby make the love for our
institutions deeper, finer and purer. l will
not ask you to love everything that is Amer
ican but 1 will ask you to shun the example
OF those who love anything for no better
reason than that Ii is not American. Amer
lean history and geography have had a
great revival In the last century. Every
self Of his opportunities not only to be-
come acquainted with the greatest things,
study of English history and it's constitu-
ton will add to your understanding of our
colonial history and development and our
national and State Constitution. but l will
deal more thoroughly with that presently.
THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION.
The English Constitution is not like ours
a written instrument. containing formu-
lated systems OF fundamental laws and
powers to govern for party benefits. The
English Constitution was in it's Nider sense
taken from established precedents. The
rights of the people and recognition of the
sovereign are very jealousy guarded. 1t
would be impossible for constitution COM
tuo
the demands Of the English Constitution.
We are witnessing just now an illustra-
ton or what / have said. Mr.. Gladstone
has resigned his position Premier in the
English field. Lord Rosebery has taken
his place. There was no formal vote among
the assembled hearers. He was simply
chosen by the Queen. and he was chosen
without any formal expression of a ma
tority vote in the House OF Commons. He
holds his position subject to surrender
measure which he proposes.
IL quite impossible to organize an
American union without written consti-
tuition. II has been said OF England that
she Is "a land Of old and just renown, where
freedom broadens slowly down from prece-
TepubIic p wss wor inc of organization Of
colonial charters had familiarized their
people with the idea of written contracts,
and the unjust interference OF England at
times had taught them the value Of strong
limitations OF public officers and their
powers. Precedents had been denied: there
was need OF a book A written constitn
ton was inherent in the people and was
absolutely necessary for any kind of union
among the States. The transition from an
unwritten TO a written constitution was not
very marked. Little change was Involved
eemDiieS. but none Of the people was bound
commonwealth.
The revolution was said to have its chief
source in the foreign governing power of
England. National union in the constitu-
ton was freely understood in one sense b1t
coercion. The compelling hand OF Provi-
cence made the condition of this exist
ence. The Declaration OF Independence and
the national Constitution Will forever 20
down In history. The Declaration of indie
Pendence regularly and fully proclaimed
philosophy of freedom was to take the
place of the philosophy of power Our Com
stitution was compromise. All the mem
was product OF the average I'm the con-
ventlon. What was provided for and
perience of our own ancestry and by our
own experiences during the colonial pe~iod
THE UNION OF THE COLONIES.
The suggestion for the union of the col
onies Is much older than the Constitution
The study of these experiences and of the
colonial charters OF the first State constitu-
ton will greatly add to the understanding
Of the national Constitution. which was
evolved from them. The people of the
United States were a nation before thew
knew II. The American antedates Concord
and Lexington. Neither Canada Florida
nor louisiana was then fitted for partner
ship in the American federation. The peo-
pie OF those localities spoke a different
tongue; and no Magma Charta in their
history. and had not been exercised in
10 val government or religious freedom In
the colonies that became American States
the English language was the language of
the people, and the non-Engish mixture
the Scotch. Dutch and Huguenot-was OF
adaptable stock and had. before the revou-
Ali 49, P-e'.S eiiU S ouS.iig 49,, a. iild,ed.
habit OF thinking for themselves and who
valued in themselves two essential traits
or republican citizenship.
Not parallels of latitude or longitude not
the channels of commerce, not bays