Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-05-01

the treaty might open the way 70 a
recession on the part Of France
In these circumstances not daring
to risk the delay Of an
amendment to the Constitution
prior to such final action
he proposed reconcllng consistency
with duty by procuring confirmation
OF the treaty by the senate aud COM
passing It's unquestionable valuation
By subsequent constitutional amend
mont.
POWER TO ACQUIRE TERRITORY.
In view Of the conclusive settlement
since that time Of this constitutional
question by every branch Of the gov
eminent against Mr.. Jefferson's origin
al opinion and In favor of the nations
power to acquire territory as was done
under the treaty Of 1903, and consider
ing The fact that we have since that
time immensely increased our area by
the acquisition not only OF neighborlng
territory, but OF distant islands Of the
sea separated BY thousands OF miles
from our home domain we may be in
Clined 10 think lightly OF President
Jeiferson's scrupes concerning the nc
QUESTION Of lands, not only next ada
cent to us, but indispensably necessary
to our peace and development.
There were wise men near our pTes-
dent In 1903 who differed with him
touching the nations power 10 acquire
new territory under the original pro-
visions Of the Constitutions and these
men did not fail TO make known their
dissent Moreover In the senate to
which the treaty was submitted for
confirmation, there was an able discus
sion OF It's constitutional validity and
effectiveness. The judgment Of that
body ON this phase Of the subject was
cmphatically declared, when out OF 81
votes, "A were cast In favor Of coniirma-
ton. An amendment TO the Constltu-
tion was afterward presented to Con
gress, but its first appearance was it5
last. II does not appear that the presi-
dent interested himself in It's fate and
it died at the moment Of its intro
ducton.
"Whle IN this day and generation We
may wonder at the doubts which so
pcrploXed Jefferson in 1909, and at his
estimate OF the limitations OF our fun
damental law, and may be startled
when We reflect that II they had been
allowed 70 control his action we might
nave lost the greatest national oppor-
tunity which has been presented TO our
people since the adoption Of the Con-
stitution we cannot fail at the sans
time 10 be profoundly grateful that
those doubts and this estimate were
those Of man sincere enough and pa
triOuc enough TO listen to wise and
able counselors and to give his coun-
try the benefit Of his admission Of the
fallibility Of his judgment.
GREATNESS OF JEFFERSON.
"Thomas Jefferson never furnished
better evidence OF his greatness than
When Just before the submission Of tho
treaty 10 the senate. he wrote to dis
tingulshed senator who differed with
him on this question: ! confess that
/ think II important In the present case
10 set an example against broad con-
struction, by appealing for new power
90 the people. II. however, our friends
shall think differently certainly J shall
aQquesce with satlsfactiOn-conhdent
thai he good sense Of our country VIII
correct the evil Of construction when II
shan produce III effects
"a recent writer on Amerlcn diplo-
macy who Is not suspected of partially
for Jeffersonlan political doctrine gave
In strong and graceful terms a good
reason for our gratitude today when
In referring 10 this subject he wrote.
1T was fortunate for the future OF
America that we had at the head OF ar
fairs a man Of such broad views OF our
- Il
with the same views entertained by
Jefferson as TO the constltutlonality OF
the measure would have put aside the
opportunity Jefferson put aside his
preconcelved views as to the funda
mental law. or subordinated them to
the win of the nation and welcomed the
opportunity TO Omen up the continent to
the expansion OF American democracy |
and free institutions
we are glad at this hour that JEFF !
ferson was wrong IN his adverse con-
stuction Of the Constitution, ana glad |
that he was liberal-minded enough 10 |
see that he might be wrong And YET |
may we not probably pause here long |
enough 10 contrast In our thought the |
careful and rcyerent manner in ~ ich |
The restrictions Of our fundamental law
were scrutinized hundred years ago, |
with the tendency often seen IN later
times 10 fippantlv ATTEMPT the adjust
nent of our Constitution to the purpos-
as Of interest and convenience?
PROVIDENCE OF GOD.
IN conclusion / hope may be per.
nltted TO suggest that our thoughts and
on this occasion should
cad us 10 humble recognition OF the
providence OF God in all that has made
Is great nation From our beginning
IS a people our course has been mark
d by occurrences and Incidents, so
triking. so significant, and 50 constant
hat only supersttious dullness or intel
ecual blindness viii place them 20 the
redil OF luck or chance.
In the midst OF our rejoicing today,
t Is peculiarly fitting that we recall
With soberness and meekness some Of
he happenings In connection with the
reat event We celebrate. which impress
lively Illustrate the interp0sitiou of Di-
Inc Providence In our behalf. We
ought from nation ruled by one
whose ambition was boundless and !
hose scheme for ACKNOWLEDGMENT knew
either the obligations Of public moral
~ nor the restraints Of good faith, the
rec navigation Of the Mississippi river
nd such insignificant territory as
-ould make such navigation use.
a. While our efforts toward
he accomplishment Of this slight result
lnguished and were fast assuming
opeless condition. the autocrat Of
rance suddenly commanded one OF his
minister's 10 enter into negotiations with
lr waiting and dissplrted representa-
YES and exclaimed: I renounce Loui-
ana II is not only New orleans
de II is the whole colony without re-
rye
1T was only 10 days thereafter that
10 treaty transferring 10 us the mag
hcent domain comprised within the
oulsiana purchase was concluded.
AN ASTONISHING CHANGE.
"Thls astonishing change In our pros.
,cts, which dissipated the fears and
,prehensions OF our government and
vlved the promise OF our perpetuity
I'd happy destiny, came az the very
oment that Bonaparte was organizing
f,,ea "a oqqupx tho nftfqlapa .rrrf- | 4