Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-11-28
ANDERSON BROS.
Opticians


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
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 sen
ate. and he had the wisdom and infiu-
ence to incorporate constitutional
remedy. The ignorance of the Ameri-
can people on this subject is astound-
ing. Through blind idolatry and the
repetition Of meaningless phrases they
have established theory that the con-
stttution is perfect document. divine
~ inspired and destined to remain ull-
changed through the ages. This stu
pidity has been dignified into 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.
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,
1t 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 a sovereign This was writ
ten on March 10, 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
wrote to the leading men in various
parts of the country he repeatedly adj
vanced one argument why the reluc-
tant states should accept the constitu-
ton. l will read extracts from three OF
his letters written during those trying
days when the people We're debati ting
whether or not to form Union at the
cost of an unpopular constitution.
I'm October, 1877, Washington ad-
dressed the following to Henry Knox:
Is there not constitutional door open
for alteration and amendments? Is it
not likely that real defects will be as
readily discovered after as before trial?
Will not our successors be as ready to
apply the remedy as ourselves if occa-
sion should demand it? To think 9TH
erwise will. in my Judgment. be ascrib-
ing more Of love of country. more wis
dom and more virtue to ourselves than
think we deserve
"On Nov. 10, 1887, Washington wrote
az follows to Bushrod Washington:
The, people (for it is with them to
judge can, as they will have the ad-
vantage Of experience on their side
decide with as much propriety on the
alterations and amendments which are
necessary as ourselves. do not think
we are more inspired, have more wis
dom or possess more virtue than those
who will come after u.s. And a month
later he wrote to Edmond Randolph
and said, There are some things in the
constitution, I will readily acknowl-
edge, which. never did and, am per.
| suaded, never will obtain my approba-
| uon.' !.
1T seems, jenkins, that Washington
was the original traitor to the constitu-
ton, according to your understanding
Of the word" III ill.,. = -
Colonel Monroe ceased and looked
| over his glasses at Judge Sawyer.
"Haye proved my. case?" he asked.
II must take time to think the mat
ter over" said Judge Sawyer. Il pre-
sumo these extracts are from authenti.
Gated letters" ~. ~ +. X
Enthusiastically. The originals still
exist" ;, - :; :. .Yo- vii. .&stS&.4 4
''I'll bet they're forgeries," declared
Postmaster jenkins. '"They don't sound
! Z bit like George Washington. e..