Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-17
NOT A BACK NUMBER"
GEO. WASHINGTON COULD COPE
WITH QUESTIONS OF TODAY.
Justice Brewer Defends the Constitu-
ton From the Charge Of
s. Being Out Of Date.

Justice David J. Brewer of the United
States Supreme Court spoke yesterday at
the session of the Peoples Forum in New
Rochelle upon The Larger and Higher
Life of the Nation" He dwelt upon the
political and moral life of the American
people. He found some things to criticise.
but expressed an optimistic view of the
future.
There Is a patronizing new way of look
Ing at George Washington, he said.
This tendency is to say that the father
OF his country did very we'll as COM
mander-in-chief of a very small army: did
tolerably well as the chief Of state Of
very small and struggling new republic.
alive today he would not be able to cope
With the demands upon his craftsmanship.
They would speak Of him in the western
phrase, as a back number man not up
to the requirements of the present day.
Just SO there are some persons who
look upon the Constitution of the United
States as something useful In the past.
like the code of Hammurabai-a sort of
back number. for which the cemetery of
past things Is yawning.
But l believe that the Constitution of
the United States was never intended to
become mere cemetery ornament. l be-
statesmen against the ever-encroaching
greed and power to preserve the liberties
of the individual And 1 am one of those
who still believe in George Washington.
THE United States is the marvel of the
ages" Justice Brewer said ut is the
giant of the centuries. Not merely in its
population but by its wealth. culture and
achievement this country has astonshed
the whole world"
Jibe at Standard Oil.
The justice dwelt upon the material well
fare of the country. He cited numerous
quotations from the last general census TO
show the progress of the nations wealth.
He read figures indicative of the per capita
wealth of the nation in terms Of bushels
of wheat horses and mules and barnyard
fowls.
The Pennsylvania railroad and the STAN
dard Oil Company he referred to as the
best examples of the growth that has been
attained by corporations in America:
Think of the Standard OH Company"
said 3he that corporation whose assets
are so great that they cannot be disclosed"
Laughter greeted this sally.
Il know Of no better illustration Of the
phenomenal growth that everywhere charac-
terzes the history of our national life than
that afforded by the state Of Kansas
When studied geography there was no
such name on the maps Of our domain.
When I first went to the territory there
was not a line of railroad in 1t and the
people used to gather to see the pony ex-
press dash by with its packet of mall for
the people further west.
Bigness Not Greatness.
To-day there are one and one-half mil
lions of people within the borders of that
state and it's grain crop last year was large
enough to supply twentw bushels to every
family in the United States.
I'VE stand out among the nations like q
Hercules. If we don't have Hercules
club. we at least possess big stick in
Washington
The speaker said that, though we are a
world power and may glory in our strength.
waist measure, though important to the
tailor, does not necessarily distinguish one
as a candidate for the Hall of Fame.
Those responsible for all the greatness
Of this country must answer further ques
lions before our value to the world and
before the world can be determined. The
real question Is: Which way is the country
looking? What are the ideals and the in
spirations Of this nation? Is this republic
seeking only material development. osten-
tation and parade. or is it striving for the
higher life which shall benefit both the ma
ton and the people?'