Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1907-09-15
What of the Future?

What OF the Future!
"In short, and this sums up the
whole case,-we are today a nation
with an ever increasing consciousness
of our unity, with an ever clearer
recognition of our solidarity, with an
ever increasing determination to do
what is necessary for the welfare of
the nation, no matter what becomes
of the constitution in the process.
I'VE forget sometimes by what a
world of change we are separated from
the times and conditions of the men
who drew the instrument In agri-
culture we have introduced the ma
chine instead of tools; in industry We
have replaced wind and water by
steam and electricity; in politics we
have abolished human slavery and
accepted in principle at least man
hood suffrage as the basis o fthe cleo
league of small states of spare popu-
lation of little wealth. of small com
MERGE; without banks; with few
schools; with an aristocratic organi-
cation of society based on human slav-
cry. Ours is a nation; of world wide
extent and Importance; leader of
modern states in agriculture, in COM
merce, in industry; democratic in
form and becoming ever more demo-
cratic in spirit
rs it any wonder that a constitu-
ton suited to their conditions is by
no means adapted to ours? Or should
We be surprised that we have been
compelled to change this instrument
party by force as in and after the
Civil War, partly by construction and
Interpretation and one may almost
say by violation and disregard into
something new and strange which the
trainers of the same could by no posi-
bility recognize.
"The question now is what of the
future? About the only thing which
is certain is that we shall remain one
nation and do whatever the interests
of the nation demand. But shall we
do it in continuous violation and de-
fiance of the provisions of an exist
ing even though in some respects OBJ
sOlte, constitution, protesting in the
meantime our devotion to this instru-
ment, or shall we adopt in this case
also the well defined American prac-
tice of reconstructing the instrument
so as to bring it into harmony with
our present and future conditions?
The Past is Dead.
The cry of some people who see
with clear eyes the necessity Of some
change in our policy is Back to the
fathers. Give US the constitution as
it was. Let us return to the good old
ways
This is, of course, idle prating.
The past is gone never to return and
with it the old constitution, the old
! problems and their solutions.
Ours are the twentieth century
/ problems and our faces must face the
twentieth century with all it's threat
ening but glorious outlook.
We have our choice between one
Of several policies
~ Retaining the present constitu-
ton and trying to observe it's provis-
ions This is destined to be a failure
and The attempt may do us great harm
, by putting off the day of ultimate SOL
ultion.
% Retaining the present constitu-
1 ton in form but proceeding with nee
essary legislation to the courts to
find justification for such action by
a progressively liberal Interpretation
and construction of the constitution.
This policy will more or less ham
per legislation, compelling it to take
an indirect and in some cases a sur
/ feptitious form, will undoubtedly de-
Jlay action far beyond the proper time;
7 viii concentrate public attention upon
4 the constitutionality of measures in
stead Of upon their expediency and
their adeQdateness to the purpose;
and will gradually undermine the
respect of all citizens for the consti-
tuition and it's interpreters, the whole
resulting in a centralized form of
government which, owing to it's ac~
cidental character, will be attempt
ing many things which could be bet