Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-07-11
Monday, July II, 1921
PRICELESS POSSESSION

must be admitted that in some
respects they are inclined TO self
generalization and do not always
recognize the full measure of other
peoples achievements There is,
however one priceless possession of
ours. the value of which at this par
ticuIar time demands especial and
thorough consideration. Minds dis
ordered by vicious government at
home are making appeals to Ameri-
cans to join them in overthrowing all
government. They come to US like
spirits from Pandemonium TO lecture
US on the blessings OF tranquility,
which they claim to have discovered.
They do not merit attention. but do
suggest that it may be well for us to
take stock of our possessions, that all
may know just what we have. Some
might he saved from delusion in that
way. And we may modestly go about
this in the conviction that it is by no
means necessary to prove that our
government is perfect or that it is not
susceptible of improvement What
we do want 10 know is whether it is
fundamentally sound and whether it's
construction is all that could be ex-
pected We shall not be obliged to
60 far before we discover that for
the chief fundamental we have
Constitution regarded by those, re-
puted to be the worlds sanest and
wisest authorities, as the best yet de-
vised by man.
Attention has recently been called
10 this by the Inauguration in Eng
land of chair of American history,
established for imparting informa-
Gon at the various English colleges
on this subject. 1t was on this occa-
sion that a memorable statement was
made by Viscount Bryce, who, as the
author of THE American Common
wealth." thirty years ago demon
strated that he had a keener percep-
fion of the values inherent in our
form of government than most
Americans themselves, and who re-
Gently in his book. Modern Democ-
racies," has done for certain other
countries what he so ably did for us.
His statement. to which reference is
made, was that the Constitution of
the United States is 1.-The greatest
single contribution made to govern
ment as an applied science" And to
the criticism that this Constitution
had failed TO settle the slavery ques-
ton he replied that the British par
liamentary system in more than so
years had failed to settle the Irish
question.
Another of Brtains great intellects
was deeply impressed by the wonder
full work of those who framed the
American Constitution. VIM E.
Gladstone, in an article published in
The North American Review in 1873
stated The American Constitution
is SO far as | can see the most won
derful work ever struck off at a given
time by the brain and purpose of
man"
Willis Fletcher Johnson in a recent
article in the North American Re
view says: The competence of
democracies is an ancient thing: or
at least faith in it is Old perhaps as
old as human government itself" He
quotes MeSabNzus, beginning:
Nothing il more foolish and insolent
than useless crowd" and who con-
cludes, after the manner of his kind
the kaiscrs the Lenins and all who
would fix the world each to suit his
own tastc--"tct us, having chosen an
association OF the best men, commit
the sovereign power to them: for
among them ourselves shall be in
GUIDED"
Against such the Constitution of
this government stands The men
who framed Il considered others than
themselves; they foresaw the possible
need of change and provided for il.
What they accomplished and what
those who have followed them have
done with it becomes matter of the
greatest concern to all who value
theIr liberty, whether they are fortu-
nate enough 10 live under il or sim
ply nave It for guiding star What
1t does and may signify is most
strikingly illustrated in the career of
the late Chief Justice White who az
boy was educated in the atmos-
phere of secession, as a youth fought
TO overthrow the Constitution. vet
who lived to become by appointment
from President Of another political
faith the head Of the Court that inter-
prets the. Constitution. How he re-
garded il, after the consideration he
was able out of his varied expert
ence and from diverse view points,
hostile AZ wen as friendly, to give to
Il is well worth our very careful con-
Hderation.