The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-15
WIFE SUPREME
Law. SAYS LIT LET0N
Former New York Congressman ADJ
dresses American Bankers
Association.
UPHoLDs THE CONSTITUTION
Courts Do Not Repeal Laws, lie Says,
but Attempted Acts In Violation of
Constitution, Which Never Were
Laws, Are Declared Void.

Lifes liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness are the three fundamental rights
of the people which at all times must
be observed to insure sound govern
rnents and a contented citizenship, de-
clared former Congressman Martin w.
Littleton, OF New York City, address
ing the American Bankers Association
in convention yesterday at the JEFF
fcrson Hotel auditorium. '"rhe Will
Of the People" was the speakers topic
and when he had finished, the associa
ton expressed Its Endorsement of the
principles set forth In the address by
rising vote. The speech was broken
by frequent burst of applause.
Making tito point that an organized
democracy Is necessary for true ex-
preston of the will or the people, the
speaker asked what are the best meth
obs to adopt in striving to accomplish,
the end in view How shall VIC now
organize our democracy so that 1t shall
express the will Of the pcople?" he
said. lie briefly reviewed the period of
unrest and struggle through which the
States passed before their separate
governments were firmly Joined into
ono powerful unit.
CONSTITUTION THE CUMULATIVE
WILL OF ALL THE PEOPLE,
There are three fundamental rights
TO be Observed said Mr.. Littleton
life, liberty and the pursuit of happi-
ncss-for, whenever i'm the history. OF
the world any government has ignored
these fundamental rights, revolutions
and overturned governments have fol-
lowed.
1.-THE Constitution which exists to-
day embodying the great Fundamental
ri rrI, tc OF Il III,
expressed will of the people, and Sc
IL will ever stand until 1t is changed
by the people In the manner provided
by them :.
1T realize that it is unpopular to
speak of the Constitution in some
places" said Mr.. Littleton, FOR some
men regard it as archaic. They say
they do not feel bound by it. because
1t was not made in their time, but
say to you that the Constitution of the
United States Is the cumulative will of
all the people, not only our forcfnthers
who made 1T, but ours, because it is
based upon the greatest principle OF
human justice which will be ever abid-
ing"
COURTS DO NOT REPEAT.
UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTS
Answering question which he said
was asked frequently, by what right
do the courts repeal q law" MIR. Little
TON answered: Tho courts never re-
pealed n law. They merely declared
that tho Legislative acts in%question
never were laws: that they never were
laws. Because the people, by previous
expression of their will, specifically
provided in their Constitutions that
there be no such laws. Therefore, in
declaring acts unconstitutional, when
| they are unconstitutional. the courts
are carrying out the expressed will OF
the people"
In conclusion, Mr.. LittIeton said
"The will of the people Is your will and
my will. The heart of the nation is
sound. Men do not wish to- do evil; to
have this government go astray. 1t
behoovcs every man to preach the prin-
ciplcs of American government. Ours
Is country In which 1t is a great
privilege to be sovereign, as every
American citizen Is. because every one
ltnows-particularly in the light of the
terrible conflict in Europe-that in
America no one hand can clasp the
sword until by sober Judgment he
knows his hand is welded to the sword
by the right of human understanding
and by the great direct will of the PEG
pie of this nation"