The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-10

To the Editor. IN view OF the present
controversy that is being waged. the
arguments used by the trainers OF the
constitution are interesting reading. "A
study Of the Fedsralist viii show that
the men who framed the constitution
have practically met and fully refuted
every argument used by Bryan against
expansion. / send some quotations for
publication should you deem them
worthy Of q place. J. c. SMITH.
Mr.. Smiths communication Is as fol-
lows:
Having been completely worsted in the
free silver battle. Bryan's fertile mag
nation has conjured up the bogies Of
imperialism and "militarism with
which to brighten the faint-hearted. mar
row-minded "aunties." He never grows
weary OF appealing to the fathers and
trainers OF the American constitution in
support Of his own narrow, prejudiced
views. II he spent more time in think
Ing and less time in talking. more time
In the study OF the constitutional history
and less time in rear platform oratorical
pyrotechnics, he would learn that the
trainers Of the constitution had nothing
In common with the narrow views of the
bogy-fearing "aunties."
In the adoption Of the national consti-
tuition. none exersed more potent intlu
ence in the creating and educating OF
public sentiment than Alexander Hamil-
ton. The following quotations from the
Federalist are In direct application TO the
present controversy. and are a complete
REPUTATION Of the Bryan arguments
In the Federalist Of December Is, list,
Hamilton says: THE fabric of American
empire ought to rest on the solid basis
OF the consent Of the people," On this
essential principle Of American govern
ment. which Bryan misinterprets and
which follows Is based.
The Federalist. December 10. l7s7: THE
principle purposes to be answered by
Of the members: the preservation of the
public peace, as Wen against internal
as external attacks: the regulation of
commerce. with other nations and be-
OF our intercourse, political and CONNER
cial, with foreign countries"
The authorities essential to the care
Of the common defense are these: To
raise armies: to build and equip fleets;
to prescribe the rules for the govern
ment OF both: 10 direct their operations:
to provide for their support. These pow
ers to exist without limitation: because
II Is impossible to foresee or to define the
extent and variety Of national exigencies,
and the correspondent extent and variety
that endanger the safety of nations are
infinite. and for this reason no constitu-
tional shackles can wisely be imposed on
the power TO which the care OF X Is COM
mitted: This power ought to be CO.
extensive with all the possible combina-
tions Of such circumstances: and ought
to be. under the direction OF the same
over the common defense"
''This Is one of those truths, which, to
a correct and unprecedented mind carries
its own evidence along with It; and may
be obscured, but cannot be made palmer
by argument or reasoning. 1t rests upon
the axioms, as simple as they are uni
toned to the end: the persons from whose
agency the attainment of any end Is ex-
pected ought to possess the means by
which 1t is to be attained"
the circumstances which may affect the
public safety are reducihle within certain
determinate limits; unless the contrary
OF this position can be fairly and ration
any disputed, it must be admitted as
necessary consequence that there can
be no Limitation OF that authority. which
is to provide for the defense and pro-
lection OF the community, in any matter
essential to its efficacy: that is. In any
matter essential to the formation. direc-
ton or support OF the national forces"
docs that smack OF imperialism and
militarism, Mr.. BryanD
:" The objection turns upon a
supposed necessity Of restraining the
legislative authority Of the nation, in the
article OF military establishments; prin-
cipie unheard OF, except in one or two of.
our state constitutions. and rejected in
all the rest
Dread that last clause again, Mr..
Bryan.)
:" These articles (state constitu-
tions) instead of containing the prohibit
ton looked for (of standing armies in
Jealous circumspection restricted the au-
thority of the state legislatures In this
particular. had not imposed n single re-
straint on that Of the United States. If
he (the investigator happened to be a
man Of quick sensibility or ardent tenn
per he could now no longer refrain from
pronouncing these c1amors against the
power to raise armiesl to be the dishon-
est articles of a sinister and unprincipied
opposition TO plan which ought at least
10 receive a fair and candid examination
from all sincere lovers of their country"
Hamilton defines the actions OF the
Bryanites OF his day as 1.-The dishonest
articles OF a sinister and unprincipled
opposition"
O" II we mean to be n commercial
people, or even to be secure on our At
1anttc side, we must endeavor a. coon as
possible; to have n navy. To this pur-
arsenais: and. for the defense OF these,
fortifcations and probably earrisons"
." II IL should be resolved TO ex-
tend the prohibition to the raising of
would then present the most extraordi-
nary spectacle which the world has yet
seen-that of nation incapacitated by
its constitution to prepare for defense
before II was actually invaded. .
All that kind OF policy by which nations
anticipate distant danger and meet the
gathering storm must be absta!ned from
as contrary TO the genuine maxims OF
free government we must EXPOSE our
property and liberty 10 the mercy of for
efgn Invaders. and invite them bv our
weakness to seizs the naked and defense
less prey. because We are afraid that
rulers. created by our choice dependent
on our Will might endanger that liberty
BY an abuse OF the means necessary 10
its preservation
:" The idea Of restraining the
legislative authority I'm the means Of
providing for the national defense ss one
OF those refnements which owe their
origin TO zeal for liberty more ardent
than enlightenment"
80 II may he affirmed. uittou.
the .~putat!on Of invective, that IL the
principles they 'ncuicate on various
points could so FAR obtain as to become
the popular creed they would utterly tn
1T the people Of this country. for ary
species cf government whatever but
a danger Of this kind IN not To be aanra-