The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-07-06


matters VI national interest. such as peace
war commerce between the states and
with foreign countri S, coinage OF money,
and pest offices
We have reason to congratulate our
selves that our forefathers were able to
formulate a constitution so perfect as the
one adopted l challenge the world to
produce system of government which
secures to the individual greater liberty,
and at the same time furnishes stronger
central government than our constitution.
Enough. power is granted by the people,
to the general government, to enable it to
carry out its functions throughout every
section of the country, and yet no OPT res
sion is visited upon the people OF any sec
ton of the country We are much indebt-
ed to he wisdom and foresight OF the
statesmen AID jurists who were called up
on to interpret the constitution, in its ear
i ly history for the satisfactory results
which have followed. When we reflect
that at the time the constitution was adopt
ed the union consisted of only thirteen
$500 1890
there are forty FIVE states, and that ii as
perfectly answers the purpose now as in
its early history, we are forced to admit
that ii is one of the most perfect
documents that ever emanated from
the mind of man. We speak of
it as approaching perfection. and
vet we recognize, as did many of the
statesmen at the time it was adopted, that
~. c1oueru n
the constitution. But it was mistake
which then seemed unavoidable, in view
of the fact that the institution of slavery
was so strongly intrenched. in the coun-
try. that it could have defeated tee adop-
ton of the constitution, and as it threaten
ed to do so unless il was recognized, it be,
came question whether IT should be a
constitution with slavery countenanced.
or no constitution at all. This monster
evil, SO inconsistent with the principles Of
free government, and so repalslve to the
doctrine announced in the Declaration Of
Independence, never ceased to be cause
of irritation. There is no place in the
Declaration Of Independence where mas
ter and slave can find standing room; none
for an auction block where human beings
may be sold as chattels; no provision for
one man to apply the lash to another. 1t
makes no distinction in the rights Of men
because of their color Sheltered as it
was by the Constitution slavery sought to
extend itself. and did succeed in breaking
down the barriers erected against its fur
Their extension, until it threatened to be-
come universal. one southern statesman
made his boast that the time would come
when the master would call the roll of his
claves at TIE foot of Bunker Hill monu-
ment. 1t is vegetable fact that the peo-
pie of the slave holding states lost their
reason on the question OF extending slav-
cry, and became literally frantic when
thwarted in their purpose.
1t is somewh here SAID that "whom the
gods would destroy they first make mad -
If there is any truth in this saying it is not
hard to believe that some unseen Influence
was operating on the slave power to max
it fit subject for destruction In an in
sane desire to strengthen and parpetuate it
self it attacked the life of the nation and
as consequence was crushed to death in
the War OF the Rebellion. 1t now lies
buried under public sentiment SO potent
that little fear need be entertained of Its
resurrection. Our country in the sacrifice
of her noblsst sons and the loss of untold
treasures paid dearly fer the attempt to re-
tain human slavery as one OF her insti. u.
tons. 1t cannot be true that God ever in
tended to permit this evil to continue in
our national life. l fully believe that if
its destruction had rot come about as i,
did that in some other way the Lord wou d
have lash d US with His furies until the
nation would have purged itself of this
great sin.
Though the mills of God grind slowly,
:. Yet they grind exceedingly small;
Though w tn patience He stands waiting.
With eXactneSS grlnds He all"
With slavery out Of the constitution i,
is now in all respects IN perfect accord
with the principles of the Declaration OF
Independence and we can truthfully as
sert that this is The land of the free and
the home of The brave Our advance
ment as nation, from the beginning, has
been constant and uninterrupted. Blu,
few clouds have hung over our national
| hc rizop. While there have been periods
of anxiety and doubt the naticn has swept
grandly forward We have been exceed
ingly fortunate in our relations vita for.
eign countries. which have generally been
of a friendly character
We were, however, compelled to engage
in a second war with England, in order &c
protect our citizens aud commerce upon
the high seas and to convince her hat we
had right to engag in business on our
! own account. 1t did no: take long 10 i'm
press her With the fact that we we're quite
as able to cope with her upon the water as
! upon the land Since then our commerce
and the rights of our seamen have been
T,il,