The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-08-18
sUBGCRIPTIoN RATES:
r. D. LANDER. Editor.
LEST WE FORGET.

Massachusetts, laughed TO ScOrn the
idea that any system Of government
they could devise in that room
could possibly last hundred and
fifty years. 1t has been one hun
dred and twelve years since that
scornful prophesy was uttered. and
yet the system of government de-
vised that day by those devoted
patriots, still exists In remarkable
vIgor and vitality.
1t has stood century of rapid
progress and development. 1t has
stood the shock of fraternal strife.
It has borne the strain of recon-
struction. Beginning with a simple
and plain people, numbering only
three million, it has proven suf-
ficient for a highly developed and
complex society of eighty million.
1t has won the praise and admira-
ton of the grandest and best states
men Of the world. Mr.. Gladstone
said that, just las the British Con-
stitution is the most subtle organism
which has proceeded from pro-
gressive history, so the American
constitution Is the most wonderful
work ever struck off at a given time
by the brain and purpose of man."
Our Constitution is the author and
finisher of our federal being. 1t is
the glory as we'll as the hope of our
Nation. Verify indeed, it has been
lamp to our feet and light to our
pathway.
But in this wild policy of ter
ritorial expansion and military
power and glory, we are treading
paths upon which our Constitution
sheds no light, and we are walking
in ways where it can no longer be a
lamp to our feet.
We are forgetting the very object
and purposes of our National being.
The very first words of that sacred
instrument set forth the object and
purposes of this union of States !:
1--WE, the people of the United
States, IN order to form q more per-
feet Union, establish justice, insure
DOMESTIC tranquility, provide for
the common defense, promote the
general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and
oar posterity, do ordain and estab-
lish this Constitution for the Uuited
States of America"
In other words, here upon this
continent, among ourselves, we were
to cultivate the closest and most
'fraternal union; we were to develop
the citizen, the individual, the man
we were to develop the broadcast and
purest liberty; and, separated by a
wide ocean from the nations oil
Europe (and, it may now be added
of Asia) and from the political in
terests which entangle them to-
gether," we were to pursue the even
tenor of Or way; we were to "in.
sure domestic tranquility" and moi
take upon ourselves the quarrels Of
the world, and above all, it was oul
hope and purpose to "secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves ano
our poSterity."
In every instance, save possibly
Alaska, the extension of our terri
tory may be justified upon these
principles, and in every case excep
Alaska, the acquired territory wai
such as could be Incorporated int
our federal union; and our colonia
experience with Alaska has been {
failure, shame and disgrace.
We were to mind our own bust
ness, and as nation-of self govern
ed and self-governing individuals
we were to be a pillar of cloud BY
day and pillar of fire by night
leading all the nations of the eartt
to the promised land. We were no
to make ourselves power" but 1
nation.
A power" says David Starr Jor
dan, sis country which is con
,cerned with affairs not her own anC
which develops the machinery t,
make such concern effective.
nation minds her own business"
Such then, In a general view, wer
the hopes of our fathers, and the!
sought to devise system of govern
ment to secure these ends. Is i
possible that the work of their hand
and hearts will not survive one hun
dred and fifty years? Are we no
making dangerous departures? Ar,
the forms of self-government fitteC
for the government of others? Cal
our nation expand where freedom
cannot go? Can either the peopl
or the institutions of the Unitet
States ever occupy the Philippines
Are we not forgetting our principles
and past? Are we not forgetting
our Constitution?
aFar-caIted our navias malt avav