Evening journal., 1917-09-13
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1917.
OUR FIGHTING CONSTITUTION.


rxY HENEVER a wants 20 oppose something that
w does not suit his purposes, profits or fancy
especially II he be "a lawyer-he walls that 10 violates
The Constitution OF the United states. Behind the pro-
ectlng folds Of the dear old constitution all kinds Of
asoas, crooks and marplos have hidden past days.
It Is not surprising, now that in great war,
% hear many kinds Of opposing our stand and all
taking refuge by barking back 60 the constitution. The
partisan fears violating TIC constitution
by comforting too much power upon the president. fho
narrow cgalst fears we are smashing the constitution
when draft army and send 20 to foreign soil Tho
pro-German yeps are breaking the provisions Of the
constitution when we do not ask drafted man whether
be is willing to 60 out Of the countrys confines.
These constitution doators TO be found in tho
halls Of Congress. and in the forums, where pacnst
w W. pro-German and other sedtlous astators spout
their platitudes.
1t is, therefore refreshing TO read speech Alike that
which Charles Hughes delivered before the Amer
ran Bar Association. Whatever one may think Of Hughes
Presidential candidate, there is doubt he Is
able lawyer As member Of tho United States Supreme
Court it his special province 90 every letter in
that famous document and to ponder It's meaning But
In this wartime period Hughes looks upon the constu-
ton with the eyes Of loyal American citizen who is
anxious to help hinder his country in its task
Of smashing Germany. He looks at The document with
plain hard common sense.
He finds it is "a lighting constitution" well as a
OF the republic did not simply sit and conrve
"a spectacle Of imposing mpoiency They dreamed OF
country that would grow 20 greatness and they framed
a which would allow for every expansion and
every function OF a great State. They knew nation
that could not fght would be poworess 10 secure tho
blessings OF liberty for posterisy So in tho words
Of Hughes tho constitution gave the power TO wage
snd-
self-preseryaiion being tho FIRST law Of national life
the constitution was so drawn as 10 give the President
md Congress tho broadest powers i'm war-tims.s
Hughes holds the document backs up the selectivo
service law gives the national authorities fun power to
send troops abroad deals with treason other sed-
ious Efforts and allows for every Kind OF regulation Of
business OF food fuel distrbutlon-ai with an eye
% waging war successfully
lie finds ample justification for every grant Of great
power to President Wilson, lie has little patience with
hose who think the command of armed forces and the
conduct Of campaigns should BIO in charge Of council
or that there should be division OF responsibility such as
IS constantly urged by those in Congress who want a
shopping committee similar to that which was one Of
the greatest and gravest nusances OF Lincons many
wartime trials.
Such speech 10 such assemblage OF American law
yers needed. 70 cleared the air II win put a stot
to much learned twadde both in and out of Congress
1t viii the tmid that we are not in the nids
OF revolution and we not Niexlcanzng the country
Elective conduct of means much power has Il
be centralized In tbs hands Of few men, They must n
the nation and does trust The trainers Of ih
constitution arransed that It should be the President
hands when the defense Of the country demanded he
commonder-in-cef OF the armed forces on land and
sea.
The fathers Of the republic wanted the country 10 wi
It's not to lose them. And they didn't frame docu
ment whose paragraphs would lend aid and comfort {
the enemy b hampering the men who have to carr
our battles