The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-12-03

called composed of leading men for the
purpose of preparing constitution for
the acceptance of the various States
which they represented. This constitu-
ton was adopted by 1889. and George
Washington elected president. Thus
was the idea of liberty firmly rooted in
place among nations from which it
should nevermore be torn. 1t was not
at all strange that the first president
of the United States issued call for
the observance of national Thanks
giving Day, for November g. 1899
Leaving the study of the forma-
ton Of the Constitution for a
moment let us pass on to the first day
/ of January, 1863. when President Lin
coin issued the emancipation procla-
nation, embodying in it's widest extent
the idea of civil liberty. With this
fourth development of the law of lib
erty came the regular establishment
Of the observance of national
Thanksgiving Day. The recognition of
the rights of the human brotherhood
has grown with the recognition of the
fostering care of the Divine Father
Returning now to the study of the for
nation of the Constitution we must
pass over the influence which the
town government in New England
had as model for the larger national
Government. We only notice, in pass
position of the small States would de-
feat the proposed constitution because
of their demand for equal representa-
ton with the larger States, the repre-
sentatives from Connecticut. out of
their own experience in town and State
government We're able to suggest two
houses. The Senate and the House of
Representatives. The Senate could
represent the States: two senators
from each State, large or small, while
the House could represent the people;
representatives being elected according
to population, always providing that
each State, however small might have
at least one representative. Professor
Fiske in his book, Critical Period of
American History brings to light an
other rock upon which the Constitu-
ton was almost wrecked. This stone
, of stumbling was slavery. In 1877 the
northwest territory was set apart for
the formation of new States, and slav-
cry was prohibited. When the discus
sion OF the new Constitution centered
, on the question of the continuance of
slavery in any OF the States. strong
opposition arose from the southern
: States. There was great danger of the
, establishment of separate southern
: confederacy, an idea which was at
tempted in 1904. General Washing
ton was one who strongly desired the
t freedom of the slaves. But it was soon
: seen that a compromise was necessary
, for the preservation of the Union, and
: concessions were made in the ConStitu-
ton to continued slavery and there
was a constitutional provision that
the Importation of slaves from Africa
! should not be prohibited until 1S0S.'
The preparation of the outline draft
of the Constitution was entrusted to
Madison of Virginia in connection with
Washington. Washington was chosen
. president of the constitutional conven-
e ton, while James Madison became tbs
y champion of the splendid array of prin-
- ciples of government which has made
:; the Constitution of the United States
: almost impregnable. With the aid o
S such men as Benjamin Franklin, Rob
t ert Morris and Alexander Hamilton
IL new form of government was forced
n upon the worlds notice. In it there
l. We're three coordinate branches, eacl
It limited by the others in some direc
II tons, and each superior to the other
S, in some directions. There We're tin
n legislative, the executive, and the ju
n dietary departments of government
l. The legislative department consisting
j. of the Senate and House of Represen
lie tatives, enacted laws. The executiv
ar department, consisting of the Presi
q dent, acting with the advice of hi
ia Cabinet, enforced the laws. The ju
y dietary department. consisting of tn
W supreme court, interpreted the law.
K F'iske says, THE supreme court is tn
as most original of all American institu
IN tions. 1t is peculiarly American, an
L? for it's exalted character and priceless
e. services it is an institution of whic
&c Americans may well be proud
a Very few changes have been made
SIS this Constitution. For over 100 veal
re 1t has been the citadel around whic
40 many legal battles have been Tough
ce 1t allows full development of its cit
al zenS of any race or color. 1t permi
-ic the coming of a twentieth century wit
es an open door for all the perfection
IL things noble that can be desired
really demands that all strong hearte
es citizens seek high ideals of Christie
id citizenship, with the determination
in fulfill the new century watchword--
in America to it's almost unlimitt
of boundaries: America for Chist.
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