The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-09-18
The Hon. Charles z. Pickett of
Waterloo Praises Constitu-
ton, Written for Gen
erations to Come.
FOR PURE AMERICANISM
With This and Reverence for
Men Who Made the Nation
Our National Purposes
are Saved.

"a tS0VN
The constitution Of the United
States has stood the test Of time, the
Hon. Charles E. Pickett, OF Waterloo,
told his audience at the observance
last evening of the anniversary OF the
signing of this document. 1t was writ
ten, he maintained not for few years
but for all time. We cannot as ma
ton, he said. revere the name of Wash
ington, honor Madison, Jefferson or
Lincoln or any of our great men unless
in the same breath we honor and cher
ish our constitution.
when people talk Of tearing down
the constitution let them pause and re-
fleet that unholy hands impairing our
principals by the same
in our history. America has been
hospitable country, but it should not
shelter any who are not whole heart.
edly loyal to those principals set out
in that immortal document. There
should be room for nothing but UNI
alleged Americanism in our country
today When we have this we need
have no fear for the future of our
American ideals"
The speaker proudly pointed to ehe
fact that there was not dark page IN
the history of our country Years Of
and traditions come to Us
because the men who formed the con-
stitution gave to us form Of govern
ment that should stand the test,
really great governmental system built
for all time. He urged tnar people
study it, cherish 1t and read II.
Mr.. Pickett Is a speaker who I'M
presses one with his dignity and ap-
peal. and who speaks Interestingly and
of his subject. His address
last night at the Elk's club was ue-
interesting and instructive,
and presented In a manner which
could not help but strike responsive
strain of thought in the minds OF Dis
listeners. It was with regret that
those in charge of the affair, saw only
a handful OF people in the audience.
Great Figures In Conventions.
Mr.. Pickett spoke OF the glories tnat
have come to America through the par
ticipation of her armies in the struggle
in Europe. He recalled the fact that
at the time OF the constitutional COLI
vention the country was in a turmoil
There were riots and disturbances sr
similar nature There was great I'M
rest. Just as there is an unrest in
America today. Then came the csn-
convention with It's host of
giants and patriots OF the
young country.
perhaps there never sat body OF
men comparable to the men VINO
formed the constitution he said.
"They built for the future. You ure
impressed with the thought that they
seemed like prophets. They were try
ing to build a structure that should
last through the ages. There is
clear and distinct difference betwsen
a democracy and republic. The men
who sat In that convention had the
example Of the. past before them Tney
must choose between direct demo
cracy and autocracy. and they took the
middle ground and made this nation
republic"
The speaker defined the differences
between the constitution and statutes.
he said represented Thought
from year to year, while the constitu.
ton endures from generation to gen
GRAFTON. Statutes are matters or de-
tail. It was never intended that
great mass of legislation be embodied
IN the constitution. 1t was not to be
amended every year. 1t is the bulwark
~ government against the socalled re.
forms and those who would profit NY
the sacrifice Of our liberties.
although new departure, the
OF a republican form Of govern
ment was one on which all minds in
the convention were unanimously
a greed. They selected the one form OF
which has stood the test.
Our republic is the only genuine re-
public in the world Another pecu-
liarity is that of our system OF checks
and balances. The powers OF govern
ment are so distributed that one
branch cannot absorb another.