Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1896-03-21
QUESTION: OF GRAMMAR.
The United state.-l. They. or Are
ThcNY

They.
IL was necessary for the United
states TO revolt against Great Britain
in order TO secure their independence.
Ii occasionally appears that. in the
Judgment of some Americans, in order
TO perpetuatc their independence. 1t is
necessary TO revolt against the En-
glish language.
The Boston Journal wishes an author.
itative decision concerning the use OF
is or are" its" or their" follow
ing "the United States"
Says the Chicago Times Herald: II
Is a principle Of law that. for the cor
rect Interpretation of n statute. re-
course shall be had. IL practicable. to
those who framed II. for they. more
than others. necessarily knew their
own intention. We can go to the handi.
work Of the makers of the United
states to ascertain, not only what
their intentions were concerning the
essence Of the institutions they pur-
posed founding. but also for the gram.
NAUTICAL construction they employed
and intended should be employed for
'.the United States"
The first witness Is. by right. Thomas
Jefferson. The document first, also
by right. IL the declaration Of indie.
pendence. The last paragraph Of that
immortal instrument does not run as
follows:
1--WE. therefore. representatives Of the
United States Of America. In general
Congress assembled. appealing to the
supreme Judge Of the World for the
rcctitude Of our intentions. do. I'm the
name and by the authority of the good
people Of these colonies, solemnly pub.
lish and declare that these united col.
cnies Is and of right ought to be free
and Independent states; that II Is ab.
solved from all allegiance to the Brit.
ish crown. and that all political con.
nection between 1t and the State of
Great Britain IL, and Of right ought to
he. totally dissolved. and that, MS free
and independent states It has full pow
er to levy war, conclude peace. contract
alliances. establish commerce. and to
do all other acts and things which In.
dependent states may Of right do
Imagine such grammar as that signed
by John Hancock. John Adams, Oliver
Wolcott. Benjamin Rush, BENJAMIN
Franklin. Charles Carroll Of Carroll.
ton. Thomas Jefferson! What they did
sign was and II that "these united
colonies are and Of right ought to be
free and Independent states; that they
are absolved from all allegiance TO the
British crown, and that all political
connection between them ana the State
OF Great Britain Is and ought to be
totally dissolved, and that. as free and
independent states they have full pow.
or TO levy war. conclude peace, contract
alliances, establish commerce and to do
all other acts and things which inde-
pendent states may, OF right, do"
The only possible excuse-for there
can he no dcfense-for employment Of
verb or pronoun In the singular with
or for United States IL that the
words may thus be treated grammnt.
ically when the unity OF the states Is
assumed, ana when the thing done or
attributed Is collective.
The declaration Of independence, as
quoted, II the complete and conclusive
reply. 1t II In their collective capacity,
not as individuals acting each for II.
self. that the United States "have full
power to levy war, conclude peace,
contract alliances, establish com.
merce."
The next testimony that may with
prOpriety be cited In taken from the
articles Of confederation. ''rhe United
States, In Congress assembled, shall
also have the sole and exclusive power
Of regulating the alloy and value OF
coin struck by mot Its buD their own
authority"
The constitution Of the United States
Is certainly authoritative on this ques.
ton: Treason against the United
state shall consist only In levylng war
against mot II butt them, or In adher.
ing to mot It's butt their enemies"
Nor Is there any deviation from this
correct construction Mt later periods
covering amendments to the cOnstitu.
ton. The thirteenth amendment, for
instance, reads: "Neither slavery nor
Involuntary servitude, except as pun.
ishment for crime, whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted, shall
exist within the United States or any
place subject to mot Its buD their jurls.
diction."
Is not this enough testimony to show
that the independence of the United
States can and ought to he maintained
without violation Of English grammari
---------------
Tho Rodents Revenge.
Herman Oelrichs, hOstler In the sta.
Al 90 I. uvn.s EnA On ,,.n-, ia