Arizona republican., 1903-05-01
indispensably necessary to our peace
development.
ANTI xPANsIONIsTs

ANTI EXPANSIONISTS
There were vice men near our Presi-
dent in 1903. who differed with him
touching the nations power to acquire
new territory under the original pro-
visions of the constitution; 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 its constitutional validity and
effectiveness. The judgment of that
body on this phase of the subject was
emphatically declared, when out Of
thirty-one votes. tWenty-four were cast
! In favor of confirmation. An amend
ment to the constitution was afterward
presented to congress. but its first ap-
pcarance was its last. 1t does not APP
pear that the president interested him
self in its fate, and it died at the mo-
ment of it's introduction.
While in this day and generation we
may wonder at the doubts which So
perplexed Jefferson in 1903. and at his
estimate OF the 1imita lions OF our fun
damental law. and may be startled
when we reflect that if they had been
allowed to control his action we might
have lost the greatest national oppo--
tunity which has been presented to our
people since the adoption of the con-
stitution. we cannot fail at the same
time to Be profoundly grateful that
these doubts and this estimate were
those of a man sincere enough and
patriotic enough to listen to wise and
able counsellors and to give his coun-
try the benefit of his admission of the
fallibility of his judgment.
Thomas Jefferson never furnished
better evidence OF his greatness than
treaty to the senate, he wrote to dis
tinguished senator who differed with
him on this question: I confess that
I think it important in the present case
to set an example against broad con-
struction. by appealing for new power
to the people. If however our friends
shall think differently. certainly I shall
acquiesce with satisfaction. confiding
that the good sense of our country will
correct the evil of construction when il
shall produce i'll effects
A recent writer on American diplo-
macy. who is not suspected of partial
ity for Jetfersonian political doctrine,
gave in strong and graceful terms Il
good reason fer our gratitude today.
when. ii. referring to this subject, he
WI ote. 1T was fortunate for the fu
ture of America that we had at thu
head of affairs a man of such broad
views OF our Country's future. A less
able president. with the same views en-
tertainad by Jefferson as to the consti-
tutionality Of the measure would have
put aside the opportunity. Jefferson
put aside his preconceiNed views as t.
the fundamental law, or subordnateI
them 10 the will Of the nation, and vel
coined In" opportunity to open mp the
continent to the expansion of Ameri-
can democracy and free institutions. 3"
We are glad at this hour that Jeffer-
son was wrong in his adverse construc-
tor of the constitution, and glad that
he was liberal minded enough to see
that he might be wrong. And may We
not profitably pause here. long enough
to contrast in our thoughts the careful!
ana reverent manner in which the re-
striCtioas of our fundamental law wera
scrutnized a hundred years ago, with
the tendency often seen in later times
20 fiippantly attempt the adjustment
Of our constitution to the purposes .:
interest and convenience?
In conclusion. I hope I may be per
Eitted to suggest that our thoughts and
surroundings on this occasion SHOULD
lead us tc humble recognition of the
Providence Of God in all that has made
US 4 great nation From our beginning
as q people our course has been mark
ed ny occurrences and incidents, SO
Ill
slant that only superstitious dullncss
or Intellectual blindness will place
them to the credit Of luck or chance.