Bisbee daily review., 1919-07-06
REV. FRESHMAN IN DEFENSE IF
 NATION LEAGUE
Quotes How Patrick Henry, Great Patriot That He Was,
 Opposed US. Constitution on Same Basis as League Foes
BY REV. CHARLES w. HARsHMAN

BY REV. CHARLES w. HARsHMAN
 The Peace Treaty, including the League of Nation, is presumably. not perfect document, and it may not be a difficult thing to find flaws in it. MT. Gladstone called the constitu- tion of the United States "the most perfect work ever struck off in given time by the brain and heart or man" (That is quoted from memory and may not be verbatim), yet prob ably not one of the men who helped to frame it was entirely satisfied with it.
 Alexander Hamilton was so dissat- isfied with it that he left the con- vention. He probably concluded lat CT it was the best that could be se- cured, for in the New York ratifica- tion convention he defended the pro- posed constitution and argued in fav- or of it.
 Benjamin Franklin in the Constitu- tional convention said, 'I confess that l do not entirely approve of this con- stitution at present; but, sir, l am not sure 1 shall never approve of it, for having lived long I have experienc- ed many instances of being obliged | by better information or fuller con- sideration, to change opinions even the same speech he says In these sentiments, sir, I agree to this con- stitution with all its faults, if they are such
 Patrick Henry in the Virginia rati- flying convention spoke and voted against it because it tended not tc liberty but to empire. 1 give some quotations from his speech that re- mind one very much of some recent speeches in and out of the U. 8. Senate.
 This, sir, is the language of de- mocracy-that a majority of the com munity have right to alter govern ment where found to be oppressive. 1 But how different is the genius or your new constitution from this? How different from the sentiments of freemen that a contemptible minor ity can prevent the good of the major ityi If, the, gentlemen standing on this ground are come to that point, that they are willing to bind them selves and their posterity to be op- pressed, l am amazed, and inexpres- sibly astonished. If this be the opin- ion of the majority, l must submit; but to me, sir, it appears perilious and destructive.'
 "A standing army we shall have, also, to execute the execroble con;- mands of tyranny; and how are you to punish them? Will you order them to be punished? Who shah obey these orders? Will your mace bearer be a match for a disciplined regiment? In what situation are We to be The clause before you gives a power of direct taxation, unbounded and unlimited-an exclusive power or legislation, in all cases whatsoever, for ten miles square, and over all places purchased for the erection ol forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards etc. What resistance could be made? The attempt would be madness. You will find all the strength of this coun- try in the hands of your enemies; their garrisons will naturally be the strongest places in the country. Your militia is given up to Congress, also in another part of this plan; they will therefore act as they think prop CT; all power will be in their own | possession. You can not force them l to receive their punishment; of wha,
 service would militia be to you, when, probably, you will not have single musket in the state? For as arms are to De provided by Congress they may or may not furnish them."
 If you make the citizens of this country agree to become the subjects of one great consolidated empire of America, your government will not have su. cient energy to keep them together"
 And yet who knows the dangers this new system may produce? This constitution is said to have beautiful features; but when l come to examine these features, sir, they appear to me horribly frightful. Among other de- formities it has an awful squinting; it squints toward monarchy, and does not this rise indignation in the breast of every true American? Your president may easily become a king"
 "If your American chief be a man of ambition and abilities, how easy it is tor him to render himself an oslute! The army is in his hands, and if he be a man of address, it Will be attached to him."
 Away with your President! we shall have a king; the army will sa- lute him monarch; your militia will leave you, and assist in making him king, and fight against you; and what have you to oppose this force? What will then become of you and your rights? Will not absolute despotisnI ensue?
 Really his arguments at that time seemed very plausible, yet none Of these awful things ever came.
 Some of the arguments of the op- ponents of the treaty seem plausible today. but 1 am confident the horrors people in all the countries concerned Because the great mass of thinking are resolved they shall not come.
 If Germany is admitted to the League. she should take the cellar