Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-04-08

stNa 81. Nfr-AF-
constitution? No, by its very terms
it is subject to amendment; but In
contemplating its amendment, we
should approach this sacred docu-
ment in the same r%everent spirit we
would have II we were entering upon
constitution; it is their right to
amend 1t. Yea. it is their duty to
amend it. II upon due elaboration.
the rights Of the whole people can be
better protected or enforced.
1 Complaint is sometimes made be-
Of the delay involved in its
amendment; but the provisions Of the
constitution requiring elaboration.
were wisely inserted. 1t was intend
ed that fundamental principles
should not be changed under the in
SEPARATION of sudden passion 1t CON
templated mature deriberation. The
fathers of the Republic were mind
ful of the storms which at times in
the history of the world, had swept
the people to destruction.
Shall we rebuke the people WIN
seek reforms? Shall we decry prog
ress or change? No, we should be
leaders In all just reforms. We
should aid in guiding public senti-
~ "'SAe ShAoII1IClS SAFE dllu SOAilu
and constitutional. We should give
recognition to the appeals Of those
who would tighten the burdens OF our
brothers who may be heavy laden.
We should aid in convincing the peo-
pie that the constitution is no re-
straint upon their aspirations for
higher and better things.
Shall we condemn those. who
through lack of knowledge, do not
appreciate the great value of the con-
st1tution? No. we should teach them.
We should lead them; we should in
spire them with love and veneration
for this great bulwark Of human free
dom.
We must point out the rocks upon
which other republics have been
wrecked.
Shields the Lowly.
We must show that in the constitu.
ton we find absolute guaranty Of pro-
lection for life. for liberty. and for
property rights. That there Is no
man SO lowly hat he cannot point to
the constitution as his shield from
the acts Of the tyrant-that there /.
no home SO humble that it canno,
draw about it the sacred circle Of the
constitution and defy all the force OF
the world.
We must show hat it guarantees
the inviolability Of contracts; that il
prevents even a great state from tax.
ing the life or property Of its
'humblest citizens without a trial un.
der due process of law; that trial by
jury Is preserved, and that no man
can be convicted Of q crime without
the privilege of being represented by
counsel, n that no man can be com.
PEELED to be a witness against him.
self.
We must recall the awful tragedies
enacted in the days of old. where, un.
DER Star Chamber proceedings. mer
were deprived of their property and
their lives upon charges Of treason
which were never proven and ther
we must point out to them the burn.
ing words of the constitution, which
provides that no man can be found
guilty of Treason without at least two
witnesses to the overt act.
We must impress upon our people
the great truth. hat there is not now
and never has been, a system Of gov.
which can abolish sorrow OF
sickness. or stay the hand of death.
mat no government a help mer
WHO will not help themselves: tina
there is no way in which any govern.
ment can bring riches to the indolent
nor bread to those who will not toll
We must combat the false p%hilosoph,
which assumes that all men are ecu
in all things. because men are no,
equal, except as under the constitu.
ton, they are equal before the law.
NO system of legislation, and nc
the strong with the weak-the wise
with the simple-the good with the
bad. While God gives to some mer
wisdom n shrewdnesss which other:
do.not possess. while some are broat
tshouldered. with muscles of steel. anc
others are frail and tremble as the,
walk there will always be riches
there will always be poverty, and an,
scheme for equalizing the possessions
OIL men is but an idle dream which
never can be realized until men arc
made over into beings without mas.
sion or pride, or ambition or selfish
ness.
DO not let them feel that it's pro,
visions are intended to protect onl,
the rich and powerful. If the RICH,
OF a railway corporation to certain
lands is sustained under some con.
stitutional provision, do not allow tht
people to assume that this provision
EXISTS only for corporations, but i'm.
press upon them that the same con.
stltutlonal provision which protects
the railway company in it's rights
may be invoked in defense of the lit.
tie homestead out h<a. upon the
prairies of Iowa.
Protects tho Innocent.
If some desperate should be &C.
quilted because he invoked the con.
stitdtional requirement that he upor
his trial must be confronted by the
witnesses against him, remind those
who criticise, hat this same proyi.
SIGN is made for their sons who ma,
rXaunjustly charged with a crime; i'm.
press upon them that it is impossi.
Bile to nave one law for the guilty,
and another for the innocent, anc
that under our wise policy Of juris-
prudence. every man is presumed to
be nnocent until proven to- be guilty
Then impress upon the people
something of h wonderful growth
OF the nation, Inc the development OF
the nation. and the progress OF the
nation, and the wonderful advance.
ment of civilization in this nation
all under the wise protection of the
constitution. To those who NAV he
discouraged in the battle of life, and
who may attribute their failure tc
the injustice of social conditions
point Ouf what other MO h,,,. -