St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-11-18

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 Colonel Monroe.
washington, was the unhesitating
reply.
every WE'LL" assented the colonel,
taking memorandum book from his
pocket. Suppose l prove to you that
Washington regarded the constitution
as crude and imperfect instrument
and urged It's adoption only because he
held that future generations would
have full opportunity to amend, alter
and, if necessary reconstruct it, and, in
his Judgment, would not fail I'd exer-
else such prerogative." l3
II doubt If you can prove such Q
statement" said Judge Sawyer stout
ly. washington was very conserva-
tive man. Moreover, he was president
of the convention which framed the
constitution"
"He was" agreed Colonel Monroe,
'but he had much higher estimate OF
our intelligence and acumen than de-
velopments have justified. There were
a lot of things that Washington did not
foresee. but he had enough ken Of the
future to picture conditions such as
those precipitated by our national sem
ate and he had the wisdom and influ-
ence to incorporate a constitutional
remedy The ignorance of the Amerl-
can people on this subject is astound-
ing. Through blind idolatry and the
repetition of meaningless phrases they
have established theory that the con-
stitution is perfect document divine
ly inspired and destined to remain UNI
changed through the ages. This stu
pidity has been dignified into a dogma
and has advocates intelligent on all
other subjects. You are one of them,
Judge, but shall not let you fall back
on Washington. Let me read you a
few things which Washington wrote"
| Colonel Monroe adjusted his glasses
| and turned over the closely written
pages LIZA.
washington, at one time at least,
had very little faith in the capacity OF
the American people to govern them
selves much less to lay down imper-
ishable laws for futurity," he said.
after we had won our independence.
and less than two months before the
constitutional convention was called,
Washington wrote the following dis
NAL prediction to John Jay: 'Notwith-
standing the boosted virtue of America,
it is more than probable we shall ex-
hibit the last melancholy proof that
mankind are not competent to their
own government without the means OF
coercion In sovereign This was writ
ten on March TO- 1857. Washington
knew that nearly half of the people
were monarchists, or, If not. were de-
void of any sympathy with democracy,
and he was well aware that this class
would have powerful representation in
the convention. He was not mistaken.
After long wrangles between republic
ans and Tories. between slave owners
and merchants and between bankers
, and farmers. compromise was made
! and submitted to the legislators of the
! thirteen colonies. That compromise
wrung from the necessities of the peo
= ple.' Is our present constitution. In the
l. hundreds of letters which Washington
Il wrote to the leading men in various
a parts of the country he repeatedly ad
# vanced one argument why the reluc
u tant states should accept the constitu
ton. | will read extracts from three o
d his letters written during those tryin
al days when the people were debat1n
is whether or not to form Union at ii
n cost of an unpopular constitution.
"In October, 1887, Washington al
n dressed the following to Henry Kno'
be rs there not a constitutional door opt
ed for alteration and amendments? Is
ID, not likely that real defects will be
re, readily discovered after as before tria
at VIII not our successors be as ready
to apply the remedy as ourselves IL occ
re- sion should demand it? To think OF
an erwise will, in my judgment, be ascri
tic ing more of love Of country, more w
re- dom and more virtue to ourselves TIL
ny I think we deserve
he "On Nov. 10, 1T97 Washington wre
"a as follows to Bushrod Washingto
lst THE people flor 1t Is with them
nd judge can, as they will have the
On vantage of experience on their 81
sti- decide with as much propriety ON !
:" alterations and amendments which I
red necessary as ourselves. do not thi
ant we are more inspired, have more "
ing dom or possess more virtue than tn
rye who will come after us. And mol
Inter he wrote to Edmond Rando
as and said, There are some things in
constitution. I will readily ackno
ub- edge, which never did and, | am |
all suaded, never will obtain my appro
the tion'
lect at seems, Jenkins, that Washing
am was the original traitor to the const
itu- lion, according to your understand
ent of the word"
imi- Colonel Monroe ceased and loo
t is over his glasses at Judge Sawyer.
ngs "Have I proved my case?" he ask
will IT must take time to think the +
per- ter over" said Judge Sawyer II
we sumo these extracts are from autht
,and catnd letters