New-York tribune., 1901-01-06

the United States had an area Of S2l,S44 square
miles and about 5.500.OoO people. AT the close
it has continental Of 3.oo1ooo square
miles with more than 100000 inhabitants.
together with Hawaii, Porto Rico and the Phil
ippnes comprising 10000 square miles. with
a population of about 100000. In 1901 it was
a loosely knit and dissoluble confederation of
mutually Jealous States. To-day it is a COM
pact Nation, organized a federal basis, but
possessing. nevertheless. power TO perpetuate
itself, TO enforce it's authority everywhere at
home and 70 meet it's responsibilities every
where abroad. The wonderful material prog
ress Of the American people. who have con-
quered and transformed a continent and are
now just beginning to comprehend their possi-
bities of worldwide commercial dominion, has
been accompanied by a no less remarkable pO-
ltical and constitutional growth.
The two most striking characteristics of the
United States in the nineteenth century its
expansion and it's naturalization. Through all
the changes of parties. in spite of Admins
trations seeking contrary results. the pressure
of the country's fate has been working toward
the establishment Of the supremacy and inde-
pendent vitality Of the general Government
UNIoNIsM GREW SLOWLY
The idea that this Government was something
besides the creature Of the individual States
venience of those who Joined to create it. took
root slowly. The doctrine of a terminable con-
tract was not in essence partisan or sectional.
The virginia and Kentucky Republicans of lbs
the Essex Junto of 1900 the Hartford Conven-
tion FederaIists of 1914 the South Carolina
Nulliders of 1892 and the Confederate Seess-
sionists of 1861 alike failed TO grasp the fact
Of American nationality, which, in spite Of the
disintegrating tendencies prevalent for years
previous to the Civil War. had become firmly
fixed before it was attacked in force. Yet If
the conception Of nation and not league had
been fully understood by the trainers Of the
Constitution it probably would not have been
adooted.
The Constitution. though written is a living
thing which adapts itself to the growth OF the
country and reveals new meanings as the Gov
ernment faces new problems and needs TO ex-
ercise new powers. This is its unique glory
among written constitutions-that it can pro-
vide scheme OF government meeting the re-
quirements and suiting the conceptions OF peo-
ple century apart, with greatly differing ideas
as TO the nature and scope Of that government
BUILDED BETTER THAN HE KNEW.
The century opened with the apparent triumph
Of the disintegrating over the fusing policy
Twelve years Of work under Washington, Ham
ilton and Adams in building up a centralized
power eliminated In the election OF Jefferson.
who doubted the constitutional right Of the
United States even to build lighthouse for the
protection Of commerce. Yet. curiousIy enough
Jefferson was fated TO do more than even HamiI-
ton for loose construction OF the Constitution
ana the growth Of a consolidated American
empire. In 1888 he purchased Louisiana more
than doubling the area of the country ana
opening the door % an expansion utterly chang
ing its Character He regarded this act as
extra-constitutiOnal. but put aside his scruples
because OF the manifest benefit of the ac-
he established the doctrine OF the pIsnary
power OF the United States to govern sub
Ject territory by setting UP a civil adrninis-
uation IN New-OrleanS which had no specific
warrant in the Constitution. and denied to the
people some Of the personal rights guaranteed
by that instrument. jefferson also sent out
Lewis ana ozark TO explore and preserve to the
United States the Oregon country, and thus took
the first step toward American domination of the
Pacific Ocean
an outbreak CT blind rage. France had treated
the United States il anything worse than Eng
lard Both had been irritating and insulting
beyond endurance and the spirit OF the young
West. led by. Henry Clay. must needs strike
back at somebody. regardless OF prudence. The
country was III prepared. and the campaigns
were wretcheGly managed The direct objects
OF the WAY were not gained. but its indirect
benefits were worth all It cost. 1t taught Europe
that the new democracy was not 20 be despised,
that it would risk war in a Just cause even with
the strongest nation. Tt extinguished the last
remnant OF colonial feeling or special French or
English bias partisan division among Amer
leans. The war stimulated the growth of real
national character among those who had before
been prOVincials in combination, and left
united country, except for the then insignificant
slavery question, which was soon to open a new
gulf and put nationality TO its greatest trial
PERIOD. OF INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS.
Immediately following the War OF 1872 how
ever, came period Of quiet in which the people
made great industrial progress and the Govern
ment gathered strength for coming contests.
Chief Justice Marshall was Interpreting the Con-
stitution and cor rfrming the Federal Govern
ment in the exercise of truly national powers.
The needs Of the growing country for internal
improvements transcending State limits became
apparent, and though Jefferson, Madison and
Monroe vetoed improvement acts as unconsti-
tutional, and thought they had settled the ques-
tiOn Clay's view of the fundamental law, as
expressed in the question. Are the narrow.
limited necessities of the old thirteen States
forever to remain rule of Its interpreta ton -
ia the end suited all parties better, and by gen
eral consent the Old doctrine was abandoned.
tariff for protection, tried under HamitOnS
lead at the formation Of the Government was
also adopted as settled policy at this period,
and laid the foundation for our great manu-
featuring industries In 1919 Florida with an
area OF o926S square miles. added TO the
Union, ana in establishing a civil government
for the territory Congress again took occasion
20 assert sovereign powers, and Andrew Jack
son, as Governor, proceeded TO exercise them
without regard to the Constitution. The next
year the slavery question first became serious
promise. recognizing the power Of Congress 70
exclude slavery from the Territories.
MONROE DOCTRINES BIRTH.
From 1917 to 1929 John Quincy Adams as
Secretary OF State and President. was the DOM