The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-09-23
Thursday, September q, 1920
THE CONSTITUTION AND
EMANCIPATION
AND

On Sept. %. 1862. Abraham Lincoln
issued tho proclamation OF Emancrpa-
thon- and our Negro citizenship justly
1sisbrate This day as the anniversary
Of their racial freedom. II Is coinci-
dence, but interesting that hmane'pS-
,Ion Day is being celebrated THIS year
while the echoes Of the public ooser-
vance OF the anniversary OF the Arnerl-
can Constitution are just dying away
The American Constitution was com
Melted and signed on Sept. 17.lIs', ana
the anniversary OF that event was more
generally observed this year IN the
United States than perhaps ever before
The Emancipation Proclamation on the
uart Of President Lincoln was purely
war measure. one OF the weapons "nich
the sovereignty OF this great EepuoHc
created and used for Its own preScrNa-
ton. Students OF the Constitution Will
and n hard 10 see therein direct author
,ty for the President OF the United
States TO emancipste slaves. or other-
wise 20 touch the persons and property
OF citizens. but practically. in our Con-
stitution we have created a great reser-
yoir OF authority upon which our gov
eminent can call and has called IN tme
of emergency for warrant for acts otner-
wise extreme or radical. but which may
Ia necessary for the preservation OF the
State: for protection against foreign
fnyasion. or domestic sedltton. With the
forces OF the Confedcracy retreatins
from the soil Of Maryland and Pennsyl-
yanta, with Lees beaten army narrowly
escaping disaster at Nntietam. Abraham
Lincoln acted with view 10 rurtner as
Indignation Of OF the rebel strength oS
issuing the Proclamation Of EmanclPa-
ton. Later the Congress OF the United
States. and the legislatures OF the sew
,ral States Of the Union wrote the sub
stance Of that proclamation INTO the
American Constitution.
1t Is, in fact. the glory and strength
OF the Constitution that It has IN broad
and general terms given every neces-
sary power TO the Congress and the ex-
ecutiye Of the United States 70 do any,
and all things necessary 10 maintain
the government at Washington. and 10
facilitate the performances OF its broad
functions. chat power. drawn upon oy
the LEGISLATIVE and the executive. regu-
lated and controlled in its application
by T. great court. has been the m ain
stay Of tho Republic. its defense and
bulwark and at the same time. the
source Of authority for the acquisition
of territory. for the enrolment or
armies. for the announcement OF In
ternal improvements, stimulus 10 In
dustry. TO our social life. and through
the years. constant benetcent influ-
ence, working for the welfare OF our
citizenship
Mr.. Gladstone. in an inspired mo-
ment, pronounced the American Con-
stItution to be the greatest work ever
struck of At q given time by the brain
and PURPOSE Of man" and this splendid
reliability and usefulness Of the Con-
stitution, fully justify that magnificent
encouium. It has protected the indy :
ual rights OF every American citizea.
II has protected the individual rights
OF every American citizen. It has in
sured him the sanctity of his home. the
safety Of his person. the enjoyment OF
the traita OF his labor. and at the same
time given him strong and develop
ing government. meeting ALL the re-
uuirsments Of great and growing PEG
pie