The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-06
A QUESTION OF GRAMMAR.

| From the Chicago Times-Herald.
| IL was necessary Tor the United States
| to revolt against Great britain In order
| to secure their independence. 1t occa-
sionally appears thai, IN the judgment
| OF some Americans, i'll order to perpetu-
ate their independence, |; is necessary
TO revolt against the English language.
The Boston journal wishes an autnori-
| or ARE" its or ''tnelr,' following "the
United States" 1t is a principle Of law
that, for the correct Interpretation OF u
statue, recourse shall be had, If practica-
Bile, to those who framed 1t, Tor they.
more than others, necessarily knew their
own intention. We can 80 to the handi-
work of the makers of the United States
to ascertain, not only what their inten-
Institutions they purpOsed founding, but
also for the grammatical construction
they employed and intended should be
employed for the United States
ill
The first witness is, by right, Thomas
Jefferson The document first, also by
right, is the declaration of independence.
The last paragraph OF that immortal in-
therefore, representatives OF the United
States o. America, In general congress
assembled, appealing to the supreme
judge OF the world for the rectitude of our
Intentions. do In the name and by the au-
thority of the good people of these colo
nies, solemnly publish and declare that
these united colonies is and of right ought
to be free and independent states: that IL
is absolved from all allegiance to the
British crown. and tina all political con-
nection between 1t and the state OF Great
Britain is. and of right ought to be. to-
tally dissolved, and that. as free and in
dependent states IL has full power to levy
war, conclude peace, contract alliances.
establish commerce, and to do all other
acts and things which independent states
may of right do Imagine such gram
,s..t H.. I-l, II,,,a IL
john lie a Adams. ans Oliver Woieot, benjamin
Rush, Benjamin Franklin, Charles Car
roll of Carrollton. Thomas Jefferson!
What they did sign was and IL 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 con.
necton between them and the. state of
dissolved. and that, as free and indepen-
dent states they have full power to levy
war. conclude peace, contract alliances.
establish commerce and to do all other
acts and things which Independent states
may, OF right, do
The only possible excuse-for there can
be no defense-for employment of verb
or pronoun in the singular with or for
Omitted States" Is that the words may
thus be treated grammatically when the
unity of the states Is assumed. and when
the thing done or attributed is collective.
quoted, is the complete and conclusive
reply. 1t Is in their collective capacity
not. as individuals acting each for itself,
that the United Sta ties have full power 10
levy war, conclude peace, contract al
liances, establish commerce"
ill
The next testimony that may with pro-
priety be cited Is taken from the articles
of confederation. 1.-The United States. in
congress assembled, shall also have the
sole and exclusive power of regulation
the alloy aud value OF coin struck by mot
its buD their own authority" The
constitution Of the United States is GER
tainly authoritative on this question:
"rreason against the United States shall
consist only in levying war against mot
its buD them. or in adherirg tn mot its
hup their enemies" Nor Is there any
deviation from this correct construction
at later neriods covering amendments 10
the constitution. The thirteenth amend
ment. for instance. reads: Neither slav-
cry nor involuntary servitude. except as
n punishment for crime. whereof the marty
shall have been dulv convicted. shall ex-
ist within the United States or any nlaca
srhject to mot it's brD th"ir jurisdiction"
j. not this enough testimony to show
that the ndeoenderce of the l'riteh
States can ard ouoht to he na!r'ai-"d
without violation of English grammar?