Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-08-16
The National Outlook

To the Editor OF the Telegraph:
The average historian of the days
preceding our great Civil War has
been wont to marshal the great
leaders of Congress in the forefront
of their fellows, that he may both
use them most forcefully and at the
same time re-enforce his view by
the added weight of supporting
numbers opposing formidable as
sault upon the national constitution.
Just now more formidable serrled
hosts confront the Republic than
have ever before challenged her eN-
istence. When our forefathers were
called upon to defend the freedom
which they had conquered from the
wilderness, they were forced to the
arbitrament of the sword, the do
ing so produced "crisis that tried
mems souls" Thus they gave us
this government of the people, by
the people and for the people" To
share these blessings with us we
have for a century and a half IN
Vited the doWntrodden of the eartL
But while we are willing thus TO
share our gifts, we are not willing
to surrender our liberties to a pop
ular sovereignty that is the freak of
a Superstate.
For self-preservation as we'll as
for humanity's sake, our nation was
compelled to take part in the greas
war that has so lately come to an
end. She must likewise take part
in formulating terms of peace. But
propaganda for the sole purpose Of
obtaining selfish results is rampant
on both sides of the seas. Some of
this propaganda, while having in
reality few advocates, by reason Of
strong financial support, has been
so successfully camouflaged as to lie
made to appear commendable to
many persons.
History is said to repeat itsele.
May we, therefore, briefly refer to
Colonial days and the evolution o.
the Articles of Confederation. Shep-
pard's History of the Constitution"
states, owing to the similarity of
their laws, religious institutions and
humanitarian interests, they were
frequently led to unite for the pur-
pose of advancing their common
welfare" In 1854, seven colonies
considered a common plan of de-
Tense again threatened French ag-
gression. Ten years later, when
England began to oppress, they
again formed union for protection.
Next year nine colonies sent dele
gates to an assembly at New York,
where bill of rights was adopted
and published, asserting that the
sole right of taxation rested in the
colonies. On September 5, 1774, the
first Continental Congress assem-
bled in Philadelphia and on Octo-
Der 26 sent forth another Declara- -
ton of Rights setting forth fully
the natural and constitutional rights
to which they believed the colonies
were entitled.
The Second Continental Congress
met in May, 1775, and in June of
the next year appointed a commit
tee to prepare a Declaration of In
dependence and Articles of Confed-
Grafton for the colonies. The former
was adopted on July and the lat
ter the next year, being finally rati-
fled by the colonies in 1881.
The title, articles of Confedera-
ton and Perpetual Union between
the States" shows that no State
was at liberty to withdraw ad
libitum after final ratification,
whether reservations were filed or
hot' ilO"tNtIf llleSS dTIlC1eS wei g
short lived because they were found
impracticable. Under them Con-
gress had no power to lay taxes,
collect revenues for public pur-
poses, regulate commerce, or en-
force its own recommendations
upon any State. 1t was soon found
necessary to adopt n national con-
stitution.
When our constitution was sub
mitted to the States for ratification
some of them made reservations"
Virginia. for example, does declare
and make known that the powers
granted under the constitution be-
ing derived from the people of the
United States may be resumed Ey
them whatsoever the same shall be
perverted to their injury or onprcS-
sion" New York and Rhode Island
each said: THE powers of gov
ernment may he resumed by Tie
people whenever It shall become
necessary to their happiness" IT. s.
Forster. Of New York, commenting
on the failure of these reservations.
saws: mo reservation of the United
States Senate, either of the Monroe
Doctrine or OF the United States,
reserved right to withdraw from the
League of Nations, would he effec-
tive unless at the samo time that
such reservation was attempted to
be exercised the executive commit
tee Of the League approved OF tho
eXorcise."
He might have said more briefly