The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1918-09-17

NNE HUNDRED and twcniy-ninc ycnrs ago to-
day the Constitution Of the Cnitet States OF
America became effective. This is Constr.
tuition Day and tonight Sons of the American
Revolution Of Albuquerque will observe the day,
in line with similar observhnccS all over the nation.
II is a worthy observance. During the past
four years great governments have been shaking.
Some have gone down in ruins. Others viii follow
before peace is restored 10 the world. In times like
these we gather a clearer conception OF The
strength OF our constitution, Of the wisdom and
Justice Of those who wrote il. IL stands out today
in mistaken strength, the bulwark OF human liber-
ties, not only throughout the western hemisphere,
but throughout the world.
In the ten years prior TO 1914 able statesmen
made lOng speeches and learned writers punished
longer articles pointing out weaknesses IN the Ton
stitution Of the United States. tending To show
that we had ''outgrown' II that constitutional
provisions wisely applicable to the original. thinly
populated and undeveloped thirteen states were but
poor foundations for the vast and complex prob
lens Of industry and society in a nation OF one
hundred million people.
How much of that kind of discussion have we
heard since the Hun let loose the great terror upon
the worlds Exactly none al oil.
And this is not due wholly to the Tact that we
have been too busy TO consider constitutional ques-
tions. IL has been due in q large measure to our
discovery that jn a world on fire. with governments
~toppling and going down to ruin. the constitution
made and adopted by our forefatherS contains in its
brief articles and amendments all the fundamental
truths necessary to make the world safe for dcmoc-
racy and civilization, and that Its PROVISIONS, en-
forced, insure continued safety.
Pershing and his near two millions IN France
today are doing nothing less-they could do no
greater ~thing-than extending thr truths OF the
Constitution of the United States and its benefits
20 the peoples OF Europe. We who stay al home, III
planning q purse straining investment in six billion
dollars more OF our governments bonds. are pre-
pairing 10 do our share to maintain and prove the
wisdom, justice and truth Of the Constitution of the
United States.
Just as il survived all the struggles over it in
the assemblies. of the thirteen original states, dur
ing the years from 1857 TO 1870; as II survived and
emerged stronger from the struggle over slavery 4;
as il survived the learned dissertations of the econ
omists and statesmen who regarded il as outgro Sn ;
80 our constitution will emerge from this world
struggle, the mistaken foundation Of a free people
and a true liberty, upon which a whole world can
build It's future.
Get down the encyclopaedia, your history--or
borrow a school book from your boy or girl-thank
God they print the Constitution IN our school books
Of proper grade-and read it tonight. IL viii fresh
eb your patriotism, strengthen your sense of GER
tainty of the outcome IF this struggle hearten your
viii TO win.
we, the people of the United States. in
order 20 form q more perfect Union. establish
Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide
for the common defense, promote the general
welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty 10
ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and