The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-01

 ton. He was as Is well known. origi- nalliy quite firm in his belief that the constitution as 1t stood did not authorize such an extension of our limits by pur- chase as the treaty for the acquisition of the Louisiana territory contemplated. Holding this opinion and at the same time confronted with the clear conviction that ! the treaty with all its stupendous ad- without positive peril. If not to our national life at least to its most vital ob- ject and aspirations. his perplexity was increased by the receipt of an authorita- action on the treaty might open the way to recession on the part of France. In these circumstances not daring to risk | the delay of an amendment to the con- stitution prior to such nnai action ne pro posed reconciling consistency with duty | by procuring confirmation Of the treaty | by the Senate and composing Its un- l questionable vahdation by subsequent constitutional amendment,
 In view of the conclusive settlement since that time of this constitutional question by every branch of the govern ment against Mir. Jefferson's original | opinion and in favor of the nations power the treaty of 1903, and considering the | fact that we have since that time im- mensely increased our area by the ac- | quisition not only of neighboring ter ritory. but of distant islands of the sea separated by thousands of miles from our home domain. we may be inclined to think lightly of President Jefferson's scruples concerning the acquisition of lands, not only next adjacent to us, but | indispensably necessary to our peace and development.
 There were wise men near our Presi- dent in 1898. who differed with him touch- ing the nations power to acquire new ter ritory under the original provisions of the | constitutions: and these men did not fail l to make known their dissent Moreover | In the Senate to which the treaty was submitted for confirmation, there was an able discussion of its constitutional vali- | dity and effectiveness. The judgment of ] that body on this phase of the subject I was emphatically declared, when out of l thirty-one votes, twenty-four were cast | In favor of confirmation. An amendment | to the constitution was afterward pre- | scented to Congress, but it's first appear I ance was It's last. It does not appear | that the President interested himself tn | It's fate. and 1t died at the moment of It's | introduction.
 Greatest National Opportunity. While in this day and generation we | may wonder at the doubts which so per- plexed Jefferson in 1898. and at his esti- | mate of the limitations of our funda- | we reflect that if they had been allowed | to control his action we might have lost | the greatest national opportunity which has ben presented to our people since the l aQOptlOn or the c0nStltutlon, we cannot | fall at the same time to be profoundly l grateful that these doubts and this esti- | mate were those of a man sincere enough | and patriotic enough to listen to wise and | able consellors and to give his country the benefit of his admission of the falli-
 bility of his judgment
 1 Thomas Jefferson never furnished bet | ter evidence of his greatness than when
 just before the submission of the treaty | to the Senate, he wrote to a distinguished | to the Senate, he wrote to a distinguished Senator who differed with
 him on this question: 'I confess that think 1t important m the present case to
 set an example against broad construc-
 ton. by appealing for new power to the people. If, however. our friends shall
 think differently, certainly I shall acqui-
 esce with satisfaction, confiding that the good sense of our country will correct the evil of construction when 1t shall produce i'll effects"
 A recent writer on Am srican diplomacy
 who is not suspected of partiality for Jeffersonian political doctrine, gave in
 strong and graceful terms a good reason for our gratitude today, when in referr-
 ing to this subject he wrote: Tt was
 fortunate for the future of America that | we had at the head of affairs man of
 such broad views of our country's fu- ture. A less able President with the same views entertained by Jefferson as to the constitutionality of the measure would have put aside the opportunity. Jeffer- l son put aside his preconceived views as
 to the Fundamental law, or subordinated
 them to the will of the nation, and well
 comed the opportunity to open up the continent to the expansion of American Democracy and free institutions"
 We are glad at this hour that Jefferson | was wrong in his adverse construction | of the Constitution, and glad that he | was liberal-minded enough to see that
 he might be wrong. And yet may we not profltably pause here, long enough to
 contrast in our thoughts the careful and l reverent manner in which the restrictions of our fundamental law were scrutihiZed
 hundred years ago, with the tendency | often seen in later times to fiippantly at- | tempt the adjustment of our Constitution
 to the purposes of inerest and convent ence?
 In conclusion hope l may be permit
 ted to suggest that our thoughts and | surroundings on this occasion should lead us to humble recognition of the Provi-
 dence of God in all that has made us a | people our course has been marked by | occurrences and incidents. so striking. so significant, and so constant, that only su- perstitious dullness or intellectual blind | ness will place them to the credit of luck or chance.
 In the midst of our rejoicing today, it | is peculiarly fitting that we recall with l soberness and meekness some of the hap penings in connection with the great | event we celebrate, which impressively illustrates the interposition of Divine Providence in our behalf. We sought from a nation ruled by one whose ambi- ton was boundless and whose scheme for aggrandizement knew neither the obliga- | tions of public morality nor the restraints | of good faith, the free navigation of the | Mississippi River and such insignificant | territory as would make such navigation | useful. But while our efforts toward the | accomplishment of this slight result lan- | guished and were fast assuming hope
 less condition. the autocrat of France | | to enter into negotiations with our wait | exclaimed: T renounce Louisiana. It is not only New Orleans l cede. It Is the whole colony without reserve"
 It was only nieteen days thereafter that | the treaty transferring to us the mag | nifcent domain comprised within the Louisiana Purchase was concluded. Astonishing Change.
 This astonishing change in our pros pects which dissipated the fears and ap- | prehensions of our Government and re- Vived the promise of our perpetuity and | happy destiny, came at the very moment | that Bonaparte was organizing force | to occupy the Louisiana territory in the prosecution of colonial occupation and development, which, If consuIhmated, would probably have closed the door even | to the slight acquisition which we orig | inally sought. The French colony of San Domingo was, however, a prime factor in | this scheme of occupation and 1t was es- seltiaI to its success that tnis colony and should supplement each other. serious | fin de-