Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-25
TWELVE PAGES
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY rs. 1859.
THE CONSTITUTION. ESTO PER.
PETUA.

Once make gaps In the constitution,
and soon all our rights and liberties are
unfenced. a no-fence law is n very de-
sirable thing for some folks; and some
folks who would feel outraged at being
called Radicals or Anarchists, want no
laws at all. so far as they place any re-
straint on their eXcellencies. And what
high and delightful arguments they en-
ployl The righteous need no laws; and
we are the righteous. Laws are only for
the wicked. To the pure. all things are
pure; and we are the pure!
Restraints and restrictions are mis-
take. The world is governed too
much" Natural laws are sufficient and
best. But there are necessary excep-
tions.-Oh, yes: OF course; You must
have laws to protect your life, your
liberty. your rights. powers and prop
erty: but what Is the use of laws for
others? That is the point you want
laws TO protect you from others; ana
the others want laws to protect them
from you. You can't see that, for ma
turally you see only how you may he
injured and If you have millions and
oil that they imply, you feel that you
have right to do what you please with
others and what they pretend to call
theirs. You are very fond of quoting:
'For forms of government. let fools
contest;
That which is best administered is
best"
How true that is! Yes: but 1t Is still
d fact that some forms OF government
are better calculated to secure good
administration than others. If 1t be
honestly carried out. Our form of gov
eminent. for Instance. as prescribed by
our constitution and the laws passed in
pursuance thereof. is the best form eyer
framed to assure the best administra-
ton: though how liable 1t is to fail is
flagrantly demonstrated by this abom-
Unable Hanna McKinley- Alger admins
tration. But that results from the vio-
1ation Of the form in every essential
that requires honesty, right and truth
Hanna (not the Republican party, nor
the Democratic party, nor the people,
Nominated and elected Mckinley; and
Tho government, instead of being faith
fully administered according to the
constitution and the laws, has been adj
sninistered according to Hanna, Alger
IL Co.
Hence the Importance OF adhering 10
the constitution, in every particular, in
its strictest Interpretation. II we have
Departed from that important charter.
we should return to It, with all speed:
ana IL any new departures be proposed
let ug nip them In their incpiency.
The men who made our constitution
and founded our institutions knew far
better than we what our government
should be; for they had full and bitter
experience-personal experience of
what we have heard or read, second
hand; and they were absolutely cured
OF the itch OF curiosity and for expert
nent that makes so many of us rest
less and dissatisfied. They knew what n
King was: what tyranny was; what
standing army was; what government
by decree, proclamation, flat, or in
junction was, and how inestimable is
the right Of trial by Jury and that of
self government They had had personal
experience, we say; and in the ripeness
OF their wisdom and exalted patriotism.
they shaped the Federal constitution,
not FOR imperial purposes, but to form
moro perfect Union, establish JUS
TICE, Insure DOMESTIC TRANQUIL
FTY, provide for the COMMON DE-
ETENCE, promote the GENERAL