Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-07-07
THE RICHMOND PLANET, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

people In their wisdom or unwisdom
may determines; but the changes
must not be the result OF anger or
excitement, nor be duo to envy or
I passion or temporary discomfort.
Even socialism, communism, anarchy
or any other ism might be inaugur-
ated; but whatever was done, we
We're Obliged to stop, look, listen
stop to think, look before and after,
to the right and left, listen to the
voice Of reason and to the still small
voice of conscience. These were the
methods Of change and of progress
provided for in the Constitution It
self; and IL they continued to be
regarded there was small danger Of
grave error"
This logic sounds strange during
this period Of fanaticism and during
this hey day of the small politicians,
who regard personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
as being paramount to the funda-
mental principles Of this Republic.
Here is more Of the same kind Of
enunciation of great, right principles
After reference to the wide and
somewhat influential propaganda for
the recall of judges and the reversal
Of judicial decisions by popular vote,
and paying his respects to various
smatterers and meddlers who were
anxious to tinker with the intricate
machinery Of government the address
concluded as follows:
Everybody knows that laws do not
enforce themselves, however made.
Back Of them Is the coercise sanction
of crystallized public sentiment that
begat them in the first place. Our
Constitution is no exception to this
rule. Its energy and It's agency, its
warrant and youchsafement, are
chiefly and certainly in our love for
it. 1t holds ideas and ideals not
brought to us by the raffish multi
tudes of Europe-too suddenly en-
franchised to comprehend or assume
the obligations of liberty, and yet for
whose special benefit, as an excepted
class, much Of our recent legislation
has been enacted.
1T holds ideas and ideals which
our fathers died to realize. It grew
out Of the War of the Revolution.
1t survived the War OF the Rebellion.
1t must continue to survive IL ordered
liberty Is to survive. 1t was not won
from armed resistance and saved
from armed rebellion to be treacher-
ously lost to us In a war Of words.
We will not surrender it-any lot or
little Of ito the sappers and miners
nor to those who, for political ag-
grandizement. robe themselves in
Heavens livery to serve the devil.
"If the zealot, impatient OF the wise
caution and delay enjoined by the
Constitution, would break down It's
barriers by hasty action, he should be
compelled. II only as a penace, to
study the Constitution and to know
all the circumstances out of which it
grew, the quality OF the men who
fashioned 1T, as we'll as the quality Of
the work accomplished by them /
would fight for every line Of tho Con-
stitution as I would for every star
in the flag, for flag and Constitution
will live and die together!"
God grant that other leaders,
mon learned In the law and exper-
fenced in. ethics may have the nerve,
the manhood, tho patriotic spirit to
stand up In the face OF this landslide
OF demagogueism, and whirlwind Of
Inception and falsehood and proclaim
the eternal truth as these distin-
gdished jurists have done. If they
will, there is hope for this Republic
and 1t may be that we shall not be
forced to experience another orgie Of
blood-letting before the people are
aroused and Justice is again en-
throned at the Capital Of this nation. |