The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-28
FRANCES EXPERIENCE.

An effort was made by the French
Eevolutionists, after breaking down lne
ala monarchy. 10 establish a government
upon the model set them TN England.
But the leaders of that Revolution cld
not understand the nature of tne arrange
nent they were trying to orlns ABOUT.
They supposed that all they nad TO 90
was 20 make a government with Dv'-
ter structure. whereas what was really
necessary was nrst TO bring France TO a
real understanding of the nature oil l'ul-
,idual liberty and then devise means 10
erect a government of such sort tnal IL
would be possible always 20 keep II mind
ful and regardful Of the liberty OF the IN
diyiduGl
THE advantage Of a written consutu-
fion is not that 1T makes the understand
ing which exists between the community
and the government more staole ti-ah an
unwritten constitution, but simply ihtl Il
makes IL more definite. To was neces-
sary that We should have written conStt-
futions at the period of our own reVolu-
zion because we were making In many re-
snects novel arrangements, and Dc was
imperative that they should be made as
clear and definite as possible. EnBiahu
has never been under the same necessity
Her POLITICAL arrangements nave grown
slowly and insensibly and IT has never
been necessary for her 90 construct upon
"a large scale. Her arrangements, thete-
fore. have been none the less denIl'e
because unwritten, inasmuch as lney
have been az every stage part Oh HeF
though and habit. ana 10 Is by haolt
tbat constitutions are made secure ana
Inv the allegiance Of thought that they
are made operative. -..,,-,,,-
A REsENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
such an ANALYSIS OF cur thought IN these
matters will show "a why It Is that we
think Of a constitutional government as
necessarily including representative
assembly chosen by some sort Of popular
suffrage. 1t Is By means of such am assem-
blv that the wise adjustment or UNDER
standing and purpose when must su'-
sist between the government ana tne
community IS kept up. We are soiie-
times wrong IN supposing that repre-
sentative assembly is merely the NV
making part OF a government Its other
function is really more import1nt-tral
is its function OF constantly suoJecung
the policy of the government 20 eNamina-
tion and discretion. and by rs debates
making IL clear what sort OF government
Including what sort Of laW-ma klns
community desires IL is really tAls ldea
which has led us 10 include IN our no.
lion of q constitutional government Iol
only "a representative assembly, DUG also
the principle that the executive nraich
of the government shall be- IN an thil!s7
subject 10 the laws 10 which tnat assem-
blv assents. which is simply another
u9v Of saving that they shall not nave
free choice as to the means Whicn they
small use I'm GOVERNING. but shall always
act I'm accordance with the common un-
derstaudings embodied ia precedent ana
statute. II IS for this reason, too that
we have added to the stability OF our
laws hv entrusting their Interpretation
20 courts which are made as Tree as po7-
sible from the controlling influence %
any other part Of the government lt j.
for this reason that we have ABOVE an
things else been careful. 90 nave III ever
one of our written constitutions Dill OF
rights-that Is careful statement oi '"'
items OF individual liberty.
BEGAN IN MAGMA CHARTA
n was by the formulation Of such
statement that the history OF consulu-
tional government began In Magma CARA
from which our bills Of rights ger Hiucn
Of their phraseolOgy. At every serious
crisis in the history Of English hoefV
some such statement has been drawn ~
as for example, In the petition OF rlsnt
and In the bill or rights when toi-o"ru
the revolution OF 1855. such Statements
really constitute the essence or lhe
Of government under which we I'VE 40.
the object Of that government Is ho1 30
much 10 make perfect adminlstdliF' -.
rangements or to devise the best means
of making laws. but 10 secure sue" ''
arrangement as will draw the inc
tween the sphere In which men my
free and the sphere I'm when tney
submit to be governed and restia'ii y. "a,
A constitutional government men = -
which is made 70 respect "a sre"l
ment and a great habit on lhg ~. ..,p
free men. and It is necessary 10 Us es' ~
iishmont that men should FIRST nave the
thought and the purpose ana me ,, tlsnI
conception OF freedom. consul u'lo'' =.
,,overnments DO not make men irey, ~
q only free men who can make c .,n.il.l
,ional governments. They are tAe on
SEQUENCES and the instruments not tue
Dr. wilson was warmly thanked Il; ,bs ,0 ior
his discourse by q nuiaDer 10 vii
nrominent people who heard IT, ne WI
de,iver the second Of the seri to-nlsI ~,
ma erbiect will BE-: political Liberty l'S