Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-12-15
British Statesman Says Franz
erS Were Greatest Group Of
Men Ever Assembled at One
Time in Any Country,
MARVELLOUS WISDOM
OF ORGANIC LAW
Diplomat Declares People of
America Would Appreciate
Government More by Con-
sidering Other Republics,

tby Morning Journal special Leased Wire)
New York, Dec. li.---ln commcn;o-
rating the one hundred and twenty
firth anniversary of the framing 4
the constitution of the United states,
th1 Pennsylvania Society held Its
fourteenth annual dinner here to-
night, with James bryce the retiring
British ambassador, as the guest of
honor.
Attorney General George w. Wick
crsham was the toaStmaster and de-
hvered an address. as did the ann
hassador. other speakers We're Unit
ed states Senator William t. Borah,
of Idaho. and Job Il, Hedges. mes
sage of congratulntion to the society
from President TAFT was enclosed in
each copy of the souvenir of the eve
ming, IA handsomely bound copy of
the constitution of the United States.
A feature OF the dinner was the
presentation of a gold medal to Mr..
Bryce. This medal was founded seye-
raj years ago by Il group OF members
for the purpose of providing special
distinction To any person whom he
society particularly wished to honpr.
It's presentation TO Ambassador Bryce
marks the first time II has been given
to any one not citizen of Pennsyla-
mia or the United States
Ambassador Bryce spoke on THE
Constitution of the United States. Hc
said:
"The constitution was the work of
an extraordinary group Of men such
as has seldom been seen living at
the same time in any country, and
such as had never been brought to-
gethcr ia any other country to under
take the immensely difficult task Of
framing Il fundamental instrument OF
4 lIlt n I.tV lar an
was then small one and it Is one
of the most striking tributes to the
genius and foresight Of the men that
frame of government. which they de-
signed for 100000 people. should
have proved fitting To serve the needs
OF $4,000, 000
what | have to say of the consti-
tuition must refer chiefly to the past
because its provisions seem to be now
not so far removed from the field of
political controversy rs they have
been since 1865. Fortunately there isl
plenty to he said without trespassing
on that controversial field from which
my official position dehars me.
"rhc whole Of your history since
l7s9 is a record Of the services which
he constitution has rendered to you.
II formed anew, or at least strength !
aned and developed, for the sentiment
was fortunately brought by your am
,cstors from England the habit OF
Difference to the law ana respect Tor
Is forms with u sense OF the value pf
lirocting everything by strictly legal
methods. which Is one of the finest AT
ributes Of free people II laugh
YOU to recognize that IA free govern |
nent must be founded upon the sense
If right. upon the respect of every man
md every community for the rights I
If every other man and community 20
he exclusion of all violence.
1T impressed upon every person
he sense that the viii of the whole
people, duly ascertained and acting
through the prescribed forms, must
prevail The doctrine of popular SOW
'reignty is a fine and wholesome prin-
'iplo, when II is exercised In the duly
prescribed and duly observed forms,
usf as that doctrine may be the
ource Of turmoil and injury to pco-
,le which rush heedlessly To carry
mt its arbitrary viii at the impulse
# sudden passion.
Both the federal constitution IT.
elf ana all those state constitutions
yhlch have been enacted upon similar
ines, have had the effect of steady
ne the machinery Of government, oi
(Contirucd ON Page Tvo.)