The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-23
ORIGIN or THE coNsTITuTIoS.

There has always been controversy as
to the true origin OF the constitution OF
the United States. provoked By the claim
Of English writer's that IL had its origin
In British laws. and OF American writer's
reluctant to acfnit that II did not owe its
entire being. root. trunk and stem, to
American coil. 1t Is not very profitable
speculation. but iniere 81 In the subject re-
wives from time TO time and has lately
been stimulated by new work on the
constitution in which the Old arguments
appear In new dress.
English authorities have been as Ell
thusiastic In Its praise as any American
could wish: and Gladstone has pronounced
IL the gfandest document ever formulated
by man. Its simplicity and direciness OF
language eniiiie II to the admiration Of
man familiar with classical literature. bu.
ment that II has already been frequently
changed even by the American people.
The general opinion Is no doubt formed
from reading of the Declaration Of In
dependence. together with the constitu-
ton. the one statement of principles and
the other their formulation into scheme
Of government. II Is nothing In detrae-
ticn Of the constitution TO admit that IL
may have been drawn from the accumu-
lated wisdom of many generations. An
instrument based upon natural rights must
have drawn It's inspiration from the past.
because It's principles have been coeval
with man as an intelligent animal.
Tho trainers OF the constitution were
very familiar with the fundamental laws
of Great Britain and with the writings
of contemporary critics II was. tn fact.
an instrument of compromises. and this
WAS perfectly we'll recognized by its
authors. Hamilton observed OF 1t in the
Federalist of 1Tss. The result OF the de-
alterations OF all collective bodies must
necessarily be a compound as we'll OF the
errors and prejudices as OF the good sense
aud wisdom Of the individuals of whom
they are composed The compacts which
are to embrace thirteen states In a conn
mon bond OF smity and union must as
dsssiuiIar interests and lnclinations. How
can perfection spring from such ma
| tcriaisg''
So far from being generally recognized
| a perfect and incompatible document.
| there was very strong opposition to IT..
| New York and Virginia hesitsted until
| after nine other states had accepted L..
| and both North Carolina ard Rhode Tsi-
| and refused 10 come within It's jurlsdic~
| ton. and only entered the union year
| after II had already come into operation.
Coming closer 10 the origin OF the con-
| s,itu;ion both Massachusetts, and Penn
| syivania are asntrants foF the honor. The
| Ray state claims that Il is shown by ITS
| constitution of isSa that abstract theories
| regarding human rights had laid firm hold
on the national mind Philadelphia traces
| lis clsims back through Pasue's conception
| of commonwealth 1t IS notable that
| the refusal 10 admit British influence
| comes from New England. where me
| prejudice against King George ard his
| cabinet blinds them 20 the true character
I
| ls true that there Is no document similar
| - ours hut us institutions are based
| ugun tieelsrasi0n ~ rtghts and the sys-
! tent Of government Is Based upoa II. THIS
| Ia ss,sae very manifest BY Blackstone. wao
| brings eat clearly shs snaependcnt char
artoF ~ tas English collection % customs.
| pgceeaents traditions ana understandings
/ which make a system snore free than that
| ef any ether cauntry In the worla, even
/ where there Is republican form % gov
eminent.
| renn had established his ocloos with
! friendly feelings sowe Is Great Britain.
| AID ss early as 49, embedded ais views
| IN What ~ now knawu as Pears Magma
/ yharta - wss emitted "T"ne Excellent
! Privilege 81 tlbev1y aaa Properly. eeing
! the hsrswgset - the fres-boru subjects
! - England" Keasaes extensive exgrAI =
! srom TIE Great Charter = Euslssa
/ liberties" aad Cokss Comments. il In
| c}ssae3 ether eeFgy Enrash laws al alb
straet 81 ere Royal Garter - f,~nusyl-
! vaHss. aH& the Charter % Liberties sraEst-
| syi ty vs'aara Perm SO tae sceesnea of rs
! province. Il AS fsona sh2s source. tie
| FranSH lysniA advocates es4in. that na-
| st1 t-icYd. tAS stout defender az the pea.
| piles stshlS sse Andrew Hamilton ere
successful champion ~ 5As liberty " TIA
/ pfssS ~ ksnssic&. and john Dickinson. ire
! great advocate e American iaaex~sss1sssssa
| 3-r~ their Inspiration, Pennsylvania cen
! 1ssss'e>a larger samAer saan any esAeF
state - she wavk - see constitution. ara
! 81 IS roi Improbable that lawyers &na gssa-
lse uea. a~.ng trafnes IL the ssusy os
Fe@n,s ssaray f.arsssh ana of sae aathars-
ties 30 walsh rsxa wSasa naturally rs.Sg,