The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-01-16


They are furnishing the people with
some excellent texts for governmental
study. Mr.. Beveridge is an "ad-
vanced" man. Mr.. Hoar is conserva-
tive. From both of them we may get
the right average. The people need
more information on the subject. Able
public, men whether they are true or
false teachers, can do a great deal to-
ward stimulating profitable study 1t
may be safely assumed that neither
Mr.. Hoar nor Mr.. Beveridge can be
wrong in all he says, and there is
good promise in the fact that their
differences in opinion about the organic
law are not mere pGrty differences.
They should be encouraged to persevere
| in educational enterprise.
In these busy times men ere prone
to accept as conclusive the mere pass
ing assertion that the Civil War de-
stroyed the doctrine of states rights,
and at the same time sr!it the constitu-
ton "up the back" 1t must be observ-
ed, however, that the laws under which
we derive the main benefits of taxation
and government, are still state laws.
The ordinary, everyday, but vital
affairs of our lives are under state
government, and are still a long ways
from Capitalization and Imperialism. 1t
must be noted, too, that 1t still re-
| 1f N ofc1 of
three fourths of the state to amend the
constitution of the United States. We
are still operating on the theory that
the Federal Government derives its
powers from the states. Let us not ad-
NIT, because some of the statesmen of
today claim that the constitution is
an elastic intrument which is pliable to
changed conditions and new enlighten-
ment, that constitutional government is
on the verge of destruction. If we get
to that point of concession we are in
a dangerous situation indeed. What
is the use of having constitution un-
less it is to be strictly binding, accord
ing to the best lights as to it's meaning?
We have a written constitution and
constructed for the centuries. In it's
main features-in its absolutely essen
tial points-it works as well today as it
did hundred years ago. The fathers
of the government themselves made the
most important corrections in their
own work, barring, possibly, the amend
ments growing out of the internal con-
flict of 1860 to '65. The war amendments
were adopted in the regular way,
though. 1t is common to say that the
government has been saved from
serious embarrassment several times, if
not from disintegration, by a violent
wrenching of the constitution. Is this
true? Can such a claim be confirmed
|. by liberal, honest analysis? Is it
certain that any absolutely mandatory
provision of the constitution has been
violated? Have not the cases in ques-
ton been merely decisions over disput-
ed points? Have they been destructive
| VI the COlSlllullOll llSClly VI llhpcill lib
in effect?
Human perfection is only a dream.
| The making of an organic law cannot
be exact, like mathematics. Some of
the greatest men of our history have
; achieved their regulations as constitu-
tional eXpounders. If constitutions
were perfectly plain in all their pro-
, Wisconsin, there could be discovered nc
ground in them for differences-the ex.
FOUNDER would be without occupation
and would have to fly to some other
field for greatness. He would not be.
t There is enough about the constitu-
ton that is unmistakable, and that not
even Gear Reed ever undertook tc
violate, to render it sacred and eutitll
it to continued patriotic adhesion
5 Because Mr.. Beveridge, or any other
man, Republican or Democrat, say:
, that 1.-The written constitution is bu
the index of the constitution" let US no
4 feel impelled to burn the paper which
was signed by George Washington, al
president and deputy from Virginia.
9 Let us not admit that there is a lint
of new precedents which displaces it
e Let us not assume that there is some
: thing in the air more powerful an(
a greater. .....
We must have an abstract rule o
e conduct and guidance, and that rul
!, is worthless if it has not the elenIen
of permanency. 1t is of no use If 1
d is subject to rapid change. It's age /
n not against it. If, in the minds o: som
C men, it has occasionally stood In TIL
' way of progress, think of the hast,
legislation and general wickedness
has obstructed. Let us cleave to it a
to a sheet anchor.
We welcime Messrs Beveridge an