The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-04
COL. MONROE'S DOCTRINE.


State legislatures may force an
amendment for the popular election of
United States senator's p observed Judge
Sawyer, abruptly changing the subject
from a discussion OF Iincolnville's new
tax assessment 4 am surprised and
alarmed at the unaninity with which
the various bodies are recording them
selves in favor OF this hazardous meas
IRE. It is a radical departure from
our old constitutional mornings. We
should make haste slowly when II
comes to revising the work of Wash
ington and Franklin and other wise
founders of our national charter
We've had ia years to think II
over,S said Col. Monroe, dryly- There's
nothing precipitate about action after
that length of time. on the contrary
Let well enough alone is my mot
to-" interrupted Postmaster jenkins,
who had Just received his government
remittance I suppose members OF
state legislatures think they know more
about national constitutions than men
like John Adams and Patrick Henry
and-and Thomas Jefferson, who wrote
the one which has made us the great
est nation in the world I wonder what
Adams and Henry and Jefferson would
say If they knew that some Jim crow
state legislatures were about TO undo
their work."
Don't get excited. Jenkins advised
Colonel Monroe. Il dislike to rectlfy
your lapSeS. in history, but you should
know that John Adams. Patrick Henry
and Thomas jefferson had nothing TO
do with the formation OF the constltu-
ton. Adams and Jefferson were. abroad
at the time, and Patrick Henry fought
its adoption in Virginia with all the
energy of his nature. So did Samuel
Adams in Massachusetts. Borrow your
boys school history and read up on this
subject. It's going to be an important
one during the next few years. DID you
ever read the constitution of the United
States, Jenkins2"
Certainly I have!' declared Jenkins
Indignantly
How does it begin?"
Mr.. Jenkins arose from his chair and
raising his arm with a gesture of tr1-
umph detained:
when in the course of human events
it becomes necessary for one people to
dissolve the political bonds which have
well, I've forgotten just how it goes on,
admitted jenkins. as he resumed his
seat, but that's the way it starts. You
must not think, colonel. that you're the
only one that's posted on these things"
You have recited the opening lines,
not Of the constitution. but of the Dec
laratlon of Independence, said Colonel
Monroe That's our Fourth Of July
constitution, but it does not govern any
thing. I have always noticed Jenkins
that the stanchest champions of every
letter of our constitution are those who
know the least about it. don't sup
pose one man in hundred has more
than a vague idea of what the constitu-
ton says
IF any one but you talked that way
about our sacred constitution" exclain-
ed the amazed postmaster, "Id tell him
right to his face that he was traitor
to his country and guilty of treason
I'm surprised to hear you talk that
way, Col Monroe; I'm surprised
I'm not surprised a you," returned
the colonel calmly. There are several
country, like yourself, who for some
unknown reason construe criticism of
a law or of a constitution into treason
They utterly fail to comprehend the
fact that our institutions were design
ed to rest on the consent of the govern
ed, and that it is not only the privilege
but the duty of citizens to criticise that
which seems to Cypress them. and TO
strive by intelligent agitation for re-
dress or Improvement Any American
citizen has legal. moral and patriotic
grounds on which to advocate the re-
peal amendment or alteration of any
section of the constitution, or of the en-
tire document, for that matter. Urea
son consists of levying war against
ones country or in giving aid and
comfort to its enemies. 1t does not
consist in discussing or advocating
constitutional changes or legal enact
ments."
II didn't mean it that way" ventur-
ed the abashed Jenkins "All meant
was that I didn't like to hear anything
said against the constitution and Geo.
Washington"
Judge Sawyer came to the postmas-
ter's rescue.
I'VE have wandered from the subject
I touched upon.'' he said. I called at
tention to the popularity of the move
ment for an amendment to elect our
senators by popular vote am willing
to concede that the constitution provides
for such an amendment, but am op-
posed to it and to all similar measures
on the ground that it is an unsafe de-
parture from the teachings of the
founders of the republic 1 will grant
all that is said against the personnel OF
the senate, but hold that we should
first reform ourselves then send proper
characte to the state legislatures and
depend on them to select fitting and dis
tinguished representatives to the upper
house of our national congress. Let us
assume personal responsibility as voters
for whatever of scandal and disgrace
has been brought upon US, and not
charge it against the constitution, and
plunge into unknown dangers by at
tempting amendments.
(Which one of the founders of the
constitution do you look to for guidance
and inspiration in this matter2" asked
Colonel Monroe
washington" was the unhesitating
reply.
taking a memorandum book from his
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