Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-17
CONSTITUTIONAL DAY
Anniversary of Federal Docu-
ment at Jamestown.
ADDRESS BY JUDGE PARKER
Interesting Exercises Held in the
Auditorium.
AN OFFICIAL LUNCHEON SERVED
Characteristic Remarks by Represent
alive Mccall Of Massa-
chusetts.
ADDRESS BY JUDGE PARKER
AN OFFICIAL LUNCHEON SERVE

NORFOLk, va. September 17-FOrmer
Judge Alton b. Parker of New York. for
mer democratic candidate for President OF
the United States. and Samuel w. Mccall,
member of Congress from Massachusetts,.
made the principal addresses at the Con
stitutional day celebration at the James
town exposition today. The ceremonies
were In commemoration of the 10th ami
versary of the adoption of the federal Con-
stltution by the constitutional convention
Of 1877. over which George Washington
presided. The weather was ideal and the
attendance at the exposition was large. The
exercises occurred in the main hall of the
auditorium.
The addresses OF Judge Parker and Rep
resentative Mccall were preceded by an
address Of welcome by President Tucker of
the exposition whose ancestors were
prominent in the formation of the Ameri-
can republic. The national anthem and
other patriotic band selections made I'D the
musical part of the program.
An official luncheon was rendered Judge
Parker and Representative Mccall by the
exposition management Immediately fol-
lowing the conclusion Of the exercises or
the day, which We're attended by large
number OF distinguished people from vir-
GINA and other states, these in numerous
instances being descendants of members
or the constitutional assembly whose work
ZIG ScieDIdtlOu VI Cne Gay concentrated.
Judge Parker. speaking with great force
and earnestness sad:
1t Is fitting that we-gathered together
in this place which witnessed the very be-
glnnlngs OF our political life, on the soil of
a great state that contributed nightly to
the success of the most magnificent strug-
gle Tor liberty recorded In history, who
performed more than her share in the crea-
ton OF our dual system of government and
furnished to the nation in its formative
period seven presidents and the head of the
frfdf 0tn1 49,
fitting that we should consider how II has
come about that as a nation we have pro-
crossed In commerce and all the arts of
peace. have grown In wealth and security
and strength. and what we owe to those
who in supplying it for themselves sup
piled to us as their successors the system
have been attained.
Danger to Free Institutions.
Nor can we fail to note that danger to
a continuing existence Of free institutions
was found by tn I'm to have arisen most
often from too great a Capitalization of
power in the executive. Therefore they de-
termined that the states should exercise
home rule. while to the national government
should be given all necessary powers-but
only those necessary-to render 1t effectual
Further they determined that there should
be distribution of the powers which they
committed to the national government 80
that there might arise no encroachment by
the national government upon the powers
reserved to the states and the people.
1t Is not too much to say that II is pro-
posed today here in our land merely with a
view to attaining greater efficiency to sub
stantially change the form of government
of these United States of America by the
creation Of judicial commissions to deal
with special subjects: by the comforting
upon such commissions Of legislative func-
tons through delegation of power from
Congress. and by then committing to the
executive the ricfad of
pointment and removal Of their members
To-day what is needed is not to remodel
our entire system of government, but to
strike at the root of the evil. All that Is
really needed Is to make impossible such
an alliance in the future. 1t can be done.
When done we shall have officials who seek
only the public welfare. Corporate vio-
screened, and meanwhile honest and thrifty
people who seek to better their condition
will no longer fear lest in hour OF pub
lie passion their investments or their bust
ness may be swept away. Then also will
disappear the present excuse for SO bend
ing the federal Constitution as to take
away from the states control of their own
citizens and their property. and the powers
of government will seem to all to be. as
they are in reality, properly distributed be-
tween the federal and the state govern
ments.
The states and the people undertook by
the Constitution to fix the boundaries of
each of the great departments of govern
ment. beyond which neither could pass
Upon the executive no legislative judi
charged to take care that the laws be
faithfully executed" and to protect and
defend the Constitution of the United
States" By what process of reasoning the
Executive has reached the conclusion that
for the various departments Of the federal
government to seize power not granted
by the states and the people Is to protect
and defend the Constitution | know not.
That ba have reached nv
route, his character a man, his career
as an official. and the holiness of his advo-
cacy attest. He is not attempting to
qure power by deceiving the people. With
perfect frankness he states what he thinks
ought to be done and how he proposes 1t
shall be done.
IF, then. there were no immediate danger
of an effective seizure of powers.
should to protect the future, meet the as
sault of the new federalists with equal
vigor. They are steadily at work teaching
and preaching the doctrines Of their sect
SO those opposed to their views should
sacrifice any party feeling and interest.
and enter the lists open champions of
our constitutional system in its integrity.
The time to do 1t Is now. Some other
year-aye, even next year-may be too
late"
Representative McCall's Address.
Mr.. Mccall spoke Of the federated char
acter of the government and the relation
thorities.
81 know it is sometimes said that the
Constitution is becoming Anticipated and
outgrown," said Mr.. Mccall. at is doubt
less true that since the Spanish war au-
thoritative efforts have been made to free.
the government from it's limitations, in
order that We might undertake. new and
ambitious policy--a policy which, now
that we have embarked upon it, think
all thoughtful and patriotic citizens wish
we were well rid of. We have been here
and there scattered over the globe little
pro-consuls, governing despotcally in the
American name. Ambitious statesmen
chafe under its restraints. and enterprising
people, DESTROYS of embodying in the poll
cies af the nation every ism that may be
floating upon the air. would have a style
Of Constitution which would change with
every autumn and spring"
Speaking Of the Capitalization of power
in the federal government. Mr.. Mccall de-
clared that this aspect of our constitu-
tional question is vitality important at a
time when it seems not unlikely that the
national government may attempt to de-
YOUR the states. He continued:
Too Much Regulation.