South Bend news-times., 1920-10-20
sEEs PERFECT PARALLEL.
oct. Is. 1920.

Oct IS. 1920.
Editor News Times.
No better parallel in history can
be found 70 the objections now be-
ing urged against going into the
League OF Nations. than the debate
over the adoption Of the federal con-
s-ltutiOn IT, 1877. The future OF the
colonies seemed dark indeed. every
stumI looked like bear, and such
patriots as Patrick Henry and
Adams. who had given everything
for independence. were adverse 70
going into the federal Union. L in
volved a yielding up Of sovereiSnty
IN very fact Each colony would be
obliged 20 surrender its control Of
post officials OF patents, of the coin
age OF money, TO maintain navy,
20 declare war, 10 levy taxes and
etc. Nevertheless. they went in and
found as IS so often the case that
I the worst OF our troubles never
happen"
Clctinr from Ridpath's History
Of the United States we read:
"pulmg the sitting of the conven-
tion there were many Spe CulatiaLs
concerning the outcome. Public in
terest was stimulated by the fact
II 1T the proceedings were secret, as
wei as ~ the great importance Of
the meeting. There were rumors
that the new plan preserved the
form but destroyed the spirit OF
democracy, and even that q popular
constitution had been openly re
jected. a monarchy with all its
forms anu attendant titles had been
planned, it was said and the throne
- A y -
second son Of George the Third, the
young bishop of Osnaburg.
In the debate on the powers Of
congress, the opposition conjured
up all dangerous possibilities. Be
jealous OF rulers, said one man who
avowed that he would not trust a
7 flock Of Moseses;' grant them no
power they can abuse. This argu-
ment was cut short by a minister
IN the convention. who demanded
probable instead Of possible Objec-
tions.
Some condemned il because II
favored the wealthy, others because
there was no property qualification
for office-holding. There were OBJ
jections because Of the enumeration
of slaves: also because there was
no religious test. and an infidel or
man Of recognized standing in
church. These criticisms were based
upon personal feeling. as was also
. the fear that the election OF mem
bers Of congress for as long a time
as two years would open the way
( for an immediate tyranny
Others 'iikened congress TO the
great leviathan, and feared the citi-
zens would have the fate OF Jonah ?'
When submitted 10 the states for
ratification the same argument was
made for reservations
A conditional ratification was
prop osed. but was prevented by
HamilJO., who was supported by
Madison's opinion that the consti-
tuition required an adoption in toto
/ and forever"
Adoption in toto is the way the
Al present members of the League
1 have adopted 1t.
Other obiectors proposed a sec
| ond Convention,-sim 70 Mr..
| Harding's new association of ma
tons"
AT this critical time Washing
ton S letter concerning amendments
made its appearance. If another
I federal convention is attempted he
said. its members viii be more dis
cordant, will agree upon no general
plan
The opposition party was weak
ened greatly by the fact that they
/ had no well-formed consistent
policy Many of them hesitated 10
advise rejection of the constitution.
since they had nothing 20 propose
in its place"
This sounds like Mr. Harding S
statement AT Baltimore.
L am without a single program
constructive in character about an
association Of nations
Finally. what ripper wisdom can
be found than Franklin's s. speech be-
fore the convention when it met for
the last time?
"I confess that there are several
parts Of this constitution which
do not at present approve; but
am not sure that 7 shall never ap-
prove them for having lived long,
/ I have experienced many instances
/ OF being obliged by better informa-
! tion or fuller consideration %
change opinions even on important
subjects which I once thought right,
1 but found % be otherwise The old
I er 7 grow, the more apt 7 am 20
doubt my own judgment and 20 pay
imore respect 10 the Judgment Of
others. In these sentiments L agree
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