The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1907-01-22

Construction and Interpretation of the Constitution Was
The Subject Handled in Mastery Way.

gage has been thrown down, be-
Ilieving that it will be lifted by
worthy representatives of the
great American bar, which in its
defense of the integrity of the
Constitution has always been
| aConstant as the Northern Star
OF whose true fixed anG resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmanent.''
These utterances can not in the
least be minimized by opposing
to them the personel of their au-
thors, for the one has achieved
the highest succe at a bar
where competition is the greatest
and has with phenomenal rapid
ity won an international reputa-
tion as diplomat which lifts him
to the exalted plane of his great
predecessor; and the other. for
character and ability. is held in
higher, esteem, both in America
and abroad, than any other liv-
ing man. Those who oppose
| their doctrines cannot answer
them by arrogating TO themselves
higher patriotism, for the one
has, that he might serve his coun-
try, abandoned professional en-
oluments that few men in any
age have had to sacrifice and
what yet fewer would have the
courage and self-denial to acri-
fee. The other, inspired with
the deepest moral sincerity, and
a passion for rightssousr ess, is as
it were, constantly burning with
a rage almost div ne to advance.
his countrg's standard TO the
hi hest excellence
Let US understand he full
meaning of what they have said.
Both are go direct fI1 clear that
no Interpretation cs cons 9ctfoa-
lis required. A man VINO runs
may read. The President says
that, In respect of some evils, it
it evident 'tthat no efficient State
action is possible" A failure of
governmental duty is declared
and in analogy to the maxim
Ubi jus, ibi remedium, a panaeea
is offered the substitution of a
more efficient governm t.
Therefore there is ne d
s'through judicial Interpretation
! and construction of law to in
crease the power of the federal
government.
Mr.. Root saya that so long as
the States fail in the discharge
of their functions to measure up
to the standard that public opin-
| ion demands, such dereliction
twill increase the disposition of
the people to appeal to the gener-
al government to exercise con-
troI over matters that have been
considered the exclusive right of
the States" The people here
meant are certainly those of 9TH
er States, and possibly some who
do not participate in the control
of the culprit States.
! The appeal is, to have matters
that have been considered as ex-
clusively within the reserved
powers of the several States, con-
trolled by the federal govern
ment, and is not to be made to
the American people to effect
l,this change by altering the Con-
stitu ton, but to the general gov
ernment as now constituted.
This is followed hard by the
| statement that it is useles for the
| advocates of States rlghts to
| inveigh against ssthe extension
of national authority in the field
OF necessary control where the
| States themselves fail in the per.
formance of their duty Then
referring to these dissatisfied
people, he says:
i sThe governmental contro
which they deem just and nee.
essary they will have
and the conclusion of the whole
matter is thus stated:
:, "Sooner or later construction
Iofsthe Constitution will be fount
to vest the power where it will b
: exercised in the national govern
. ment.'
d The only difference betweel
the two is that the President say
q that we need an increase of pow