The Cairo bulletin., 1904-08-25
REvIvING THE CONSTITUTION.

of the community occupies ltsen WIN
the fundamental considerations upon
which our form of government rests.
New York's Constitution Club in
cludes some OF the best minds OF the
country. James c Carter, leader
among great lawyers is president;
John G.. Carlisle and Wheeler II. Peck
ham are among its vice presidents.
and on the Executive Committee are
such men as John G. Milburn, Howard
Taylor and William B Hornblower.
These men urge that the greatest
issue before the people Is the const-
s,uion, and they stand for a constiul-
tional administration by constitu-
tional president.
: The issue OF constitutionalism Is
an elevated and an ideal issue, and
the stand of the Democratic party
thereon is of an integrity and dignity
appealing profoundly to intellectual
pride. 1t is an issue worthy the char.
acter of the party of Jefferson. IL Isl
one TO move the deeper loyalty OF
Democracy.
Constituionalism versus Roosevelt
{ ism is a question going TO the very
lexistence of the Republic. November
viii either mark a return to the sound
basic principles of the republican
form of government or will further ac-
fcentuate the departure from our OLD
and honored institutions which has
yisibly begun under the three years
Of Rooseveltism.
A new phase has been put upon the
government by Mr.. Roosevelt's ad-
mjnistratiou--a phase IN which the
constitution has been thrust inte the
background, into the past, as 1t were.
The instrument which has been the
source and guaranty of our national
strength has been overridden In mum.
erous instances by man OF hasty
and rash temperament. Constitution
al and traditional limitations of the
executive function have been ignored;
both its letter and its spirit have been
violated.
A dangerous precedent has been
set. The constitution has been cheap
ened The gravity of Mr. Roosevelt >
course. its sinister effect. is impos.
sible to estimate and may be felt for
centuries; and the way to him, lies
open for further encroachments. Mil
ltarisms and Imperialism rampant
have moved the government some
what off its old moorings and the ten
dency Of the Republican administra-
ton under Mr.. Roosevelt is TO take i
further.
A man of safe procliyities is an
imperative demand in present Amerl'
can history. The Parker tempera
ment, mind and training are offered
in place of the present encumbent'
dangerous faculties. ambitions and ex
perience. Were all other things equa
between them the judicial character
of Parker should control the nation
choice. Just now the United States
require a lawyer rather than sol
> dier a Judge rather than general
Courts cannot restrain presiden
of unsafe tendencies or prevent hin
rushing to many extremes. The kim
Of rule we may expect depends large
J. ly on the presidents character. Al
executive of solid parts and judicis
temperament viii not endanger III
, national security; but Il is foolish
> not fatal to intrust the enormous pow
{. er of the presidency TO an individu'
Of reckless impulses, warlike d.
position and consuming ambition fc
personal glory.
= II Is significant Of the dangers
y which Rooseveltism points that Ame
= ica's leading lawyers should ban
u themselves together al this time an
under these circumstances for th
purpose Of warning the people. II
q Constitution Club cannot be called
10 political organization in the narrO
N sense of the word. Il includes en-
or nent Republicans. men who gave q
stanchest support to Mckinley. ms
who have heretofore voted the r
ne publican ticket without exceptio
lis II is non political in the sense that
III Is non partisan. II has 10 do with !
10 issue save that Of constitutionslisi
and its sole purpose is to preserve q
full power and applicability Of q
IT great document which holds the Am'
Is can birthright
ss A statement IT the clubs purpo
Us contains ~ paragraph With eve
es- lawyer and every citizen should cc
slider. Lawyers know so well I
aceumrulatvie effect of preceder
ct that every attempt viii be made
no enIighten the voters as to the ul
Ok mate meaning Of setting the pov
to Of the executive above the ronsti
% tioz. TIC president occupied Al