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

Among these was a striklngly large num-
Der Of professional men. The city bar
was well represented. number Of the
leading lawyers being noticed in the au-
dience.
quite a number OF teachers, physi Clans
and well known business men were pres
cnt.
Or. Woodrow Wilson of Princeton Dni-
versity. the lecturer. VINO has been see
cured TO deliver the series this year. was
introduced by President Boatwrisht OF
The college.
The speaker has a pleasant voice, and
an attractive delivery. lie Is 1orceiul
and pointed In style. and in his peculiar
way of putting things. He was given
tho closest hearing throughout ana eVi-
IDENTIFY made a most favorable impression
upon his hearers.
CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT.
Dr. Wilson took as his subject What
is Constitutional Goyernmcnt?' He dis-
cussed this i'm a clear and instructive
way. frequently Illustrating his discourse
in a striking ana attractive manner.
Dr. Wilson said in part
The subject seemed TO be OF new i'm
portance because we have since the war
given too little thought 10 constitutional
questions There Is perhaps a little re-
taxation in an attitude towards eonstitn-
tional restraints. But whether this be
so or not. 81 is worth our while once ana
again to examine the essential nature or
the sort of government we live under.
Every American who examines his own
idea Of the nature Of a constitutional
government will ] think, find that at the
back Of the notion somewhere written
constitution. lie thinks Of constitl-
tional government as ore that has de-
finite character of powers. charter
which cen be examined by any man anu
which must be interpreted by the courts.
Ana Vet irasmuch as England which gave
us our notion and our practice OF con-
stiutional' government has never nao n
written consututitn the existence or such
n document cannot be an essential fea-
turo OF the arrangement
ITS ORIGIN.
Nvhon we ask ourselves therefore
when IL was historically speaking that the
idea Of a constitutional government arose
we will see that 1t cannot have Oeen
when governments began 20 have con-
stitutions. for all governr' ents nave con-
etitutions writtei or unwr!tten, that j.
an governments have reguSry orueteu
,,,vs Of exercising authority careiuily
arran need inter-relationship or parts ana
a distribution Of functions and some ol
he most despotic have had from bus
mess point Of view the best constitutions.
II is evident that our idea therefore OF
a constitutional" government mas some
thing TO do with TIE liberty Of those VINO
ave TO submit TO government ana 'nat
there is underneath 1t the idea Oh e.l-
ro~ence between the community or the
state and the government ana that 'he
-ioture We form in our minds when we
+hink Of a constitutional government has
IN II some such scene as that 20 hunhy-
nede Wien the Bcrons Of England speak
,ng In The name of the nation stood face
10 face with King John and made COW
enant with him telling him very plainly
what sort OF liberty they should insist
mon eniovine II they were TO remain his
subjects and he their king We think
IN other words. OF power outside the
government capable OF Independent or
eanization. capable Of restraining the
government. knowing what sort OF liberty
free men are 10 enjoy and steadfastly
maintaining Itself against the govern
ment. And by constitutional govern
ment we mean one in which definite
(Continued on Sixth Page)