The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-08-21
George Washington
and the
Constitution

his Country thought ought carefully about amend
ing that document. That good advice, We have fol-
lowed it for 1919 years. And we shall still follow it.
George Washington said: 1.-THE basis of our political
system is the right of the people make and alter their
constitutions of government But the Constitution which
at any time exists till changed by explicit and authentic
act of the whole people sacredy obligatory ALL Ex
acty,
There have been only fifteen amendments to the Cons
sution during all these years of constitutional govern
men and only five of them have materially modified the
original document These amendments were made when
the necessities of the nation required it. And every
has served to make the stronger and to add
the guaranty Of the liberties and happiness OF the people,
What would George Washington have said about the
Thirteenth Amendment which provided for the abolition Of
slavery? It's adoption would have been against his pesoI
al interests for George Washington slave-owner we
have doubt he kind slave-owner But the princi
pie of slave-owning against human rights In the mid
die of the last century the majority of the states and OF the
population came ito see that And after fighting through
the Civil War slavery had to 60
George Washington with his sagacity and wisdom
would have stood for that amendment He knew what ev
cry cearsghted knowsthat standards change that
ideals advance What might have been accepted huns
bred years ago is outlawed Who thinks it would
be right in this day for men to own slaves!
The age-ong struggle against the curse of drink has
to its climax All signs indicate that the majority Of
the states and of the population have to that the
manufacture and sale of liquor must STOP and stop speedily
in the interest of the welfare for the benefit of all
classes all sections of this Great Republic Read in the
Literary Digest" for Aug II the Poll Of State Legisa
lures on the Dry Amendment
1t isn't necessary although it is interesting to ask
what George Washington would think of that But may
be he would be the side of morality and right He
would say Now again the time has after these long
years and consideration amend the Federal Con-
sttution owned wine-celar in my time just owned
slaves did the best knew in day and generation.
But if down the earth with you now would give
up my wnecelar. Abolish this traffic in alcohol you
abolished slavery Change the Constitution by explicit and
authentic act of the whole people.
The spirit of Washington is really speaking in his sue
cessors Have you read what Mr. Roosevelt has recently
written? He is for War Prohibition absolutely and quoting
opinion of of his in the army in France having
been made by his experience permanent Prohbitionst
is presumably that himself. Have Mr.. Tafts
statement? Since he vetoed the Webb-Kenyon law some
ago it has been supposed he inclined to
ercise benevolent neutrality toward the liquor interests
But in the Philadelphia Public Ledger recent date he has
described sympathetcaly with plain approval this win
ming fight for National Prohibition We could multiply the
of lesser leaders without end almost For instance
there is Gov Whitman of n Y He is willing to give up
his habit of occasional glass for the of Cons
utiona Prohibition He has said So and is out and out for
the National Amendment.
And read such word as this from Senator Boraf
who is one of the abest men in public life
THE disappear American life
else the Prohibition
is certain that the saloon The
about made up has few defenders left may still
differ things in this movement but indeed any
the institution
which hyes only and alone its ability
cannot stand against this efficiency
walton Even exclude all moral questions
ton of efficiency of alone peace
condemns the 1t is with all the practices
ngs of oerh civilization Any people nation which supports
saloon is handicapped in the race for power"
In contrast to and the statements of such men
what attention will you pay to the chrp from Clement of
Rutland? This time since for office on
platform of improving the saloon and making drinking
spectacle and wants to slide into the governorshp by
rayng about him all the forces of dsreputc and prejudice
in this contest to put Vermont the Honor Roll of the
Staeswhere already stands the fine old sister common
wealth of Massachusetts, and where will also stand inside
OF two years three forths of the states of the Union most
of the mighty and Influential ones among them
It's coming-National Constitutional Prohibition Ev-
erybody who has good says it, Even the enemy
knows it, The question that appears Vermonters eal-
for the fair of his beloved State is whether Yer
mont will be on that Honor Roll You do your part to
make sure by voting in the Primaries Sept 10 for candi-
cate for Governor you have choice of to) and cand
dates for the Senaewhere the battle will be decided
who favor the Amendment.
lhntc thn IN bo tr,o 90 w