The Savannah morning news., 1903-03-22

about it. 1 don't suppose one man in
a hundred has more than a vague idea
of what the constitution says, what II
provides. how it was formed. or what
it means. But all agree that it is the
greatest document ever penned by NOR
tai men l am a great admirer Of it
myself. but do not regard il as an OBJ
ject of worship. superstition or reVer-
ence. It's a rafting good constitution,
al things considered, and has served
us well. But like all things human, it
is susceptible of improvement, and it
looks very much as if we are about to
take it down from its pedestal, critical
ly look it over, and patch up the
weather cracks"
IF any one but you talked that way
about our sacred constitution" eX-
claimed the amazed postmaster, I'D
tell him right to his face that he was
a traitor to his country and guilty of
treason! I'm surprised to hear you
talk that way. Col. Monroe; I'm sur
prised!"
I'm not surprised at you," returned
the colonel calmly. There are several
millions of well-intentioned men in
this country, like yourself who for
some unknown reason construe criti-
cism of a law or of a constitution into
treason. They utterly fail to compre-
bend the fact that our institutions were
designed to rest on the consent of the
governed, and that it is not only the
privilege but the duty of citizens to
criticise that which seems to Cypress
them, and to strive by intelligent agi-
tation for redress or Improvement
Any American citizen has legal, moral
and patriotic grounds on which to ad-
vocate the repeal, amendment or alter
alton of any section of the constitu-
ton, or of the entire document, for
that matter Treason consists in levy
ing war against ones country, or in
giving aid and comfort to its enemies
1t does not consist in discussing or ad-
vocating constitutional changes or le-
gal enactments."
II didn't mean il that way" ven
tured the abashed Jenkins. "All I
meant was that I don't like to hear
anything said against the constitution
or George Washington"
Judge Sawyer came TO the postmas-
terS rescue.
I'VE have wandered from the SUBJ
ject l touched upon" he said. II CALI
ed attention to the popularity of the
movement for an amendment to elect
our senators by popular vote. I am
willing to concede that the constitution
provides for such an amendment. but
am opposed to it and to all similar
measures on the ground that it is an
unsafe departure from the teachings Of
the founders of the republic l will
grant all that is said against the per-
sonnet of the Senate, but hold that we
should first reform ourselves, then
send proper characters to the state
Legislatures, and depend on them to
select fitting and distinguished repre-
sentatives to the Upper House of our
national Congress. Let us assume per-
sonal responsibility as voters for
whatever scandal and disgract has
been brought upon us, and not charge
it against the constitution, and plunge
into unknown dangers by attempting
amendments.
(Which one of the founders of the
constitution do you look to for guild
ance and inspiration in this matter?"
asked Col. Monroe.
Washington" was the unhesitating
reply.
Very WE'LL" assented the colonel,
taking a memorandum book from his
pocket. Suppose I prove to you that
George Washington regarded the con-
stitution as a crude and imperfect in
strument and urged its adoption only
because he held that future genera
tons would have full opportunity to
amend, alter, and if necessary, recon-
struct it. and in his Judgment would
not fail to exercise such prerogative?"
II doubt If you can prove such a
statement. said Judge Sawyer, stout
! ly. washington was a very conserva-
! tive man. Moreover, he was president
of the convention which framed the
! constitution"
He was" agreed Col. Monroe
but he had a much higher estimate
of our intelligence and acumen than
developments have justified. There
were lot of things that George Wash
ington did not foresee, but he had
enough ken of the future to picture
! conditions such as those precipitated
by our national Senate, and he had the
wisdom and influence to incorporate a
constitutional remedy. The ignorance
/ of the American people on this sub
: ject is astounding. Through blind
, idolatry and the repetition of mean