Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-09-28

rights and limits the congress- to the
passage OF laws which do not take
such rights away. Likewise in the
state the legislature is prohibited from
passing laws which will take away
OF the rights of the citizens, and may
generally be described as a great wall
Of defense of the rights and privileges
secured to the individual citizen. ANY
amendment to the Constitution prac-
tically makes an alteration of that
%all by either making 1t higher and
safer or lower and less safe, and ther
fore the Constitution should be held
IN the. greatest regard and alterations
or amendments be scanned with great
a and consideration in connection
with every nossible condition, not
only existing but liable to arise. In
this consideration of possible amend
inents from time to time occurs o.
Of the most important occasions of
our living up to our responsibilities.
Careless thinking, smooth talking
men and are constantly aglta-
ting some change, something they
claim will right some assumed wrong
or further some suggested right. A
careful consideration of the facts in a
great majority Of cases of agitation
for constitutional change will con-
vince an honest thinking citizen that
no good purpose is likely to be
achieved by the movement. All the
conditions now surrounding US are
conditions which lave grown up as a
result Of the best thought and best
endeavor for the good Of the greatest
number, through a long line Of lives
and through many years, yes ages.
"AIake Haste Slowly"
Don't understand me to say that
everything Is perfect as 1t exists to-
day, but do believe me when I say that
in legislation either constitutional or
statutory, 1t pays to make haste slow
)y and then only by testing and try
ing out each new step.
"All laws are or should be the crys-
talized ~concensus Of public opinion
and in order to have such laws, wise,
humane and equal in heir operation,
1t Is necessary that the citizens as in
dividuals and as a body cultivate and
establish a public conscience that in
sists on honesty, integrity, thrift. a de-
sire FOR the public good, a willingness
On the part of the individual to bear
such burdens as are necessary and to
do such service az he may be called
on for the protection of the State, it's
institutions and its citizens. 1t should
always be borne in mind by the citi-
zens hat laws are merely enactments
of general rules or principles and that
eVen the best Of laws Ia operate
a hardship in some particular, tndivi-
dual case but hat such exception oc-
curing is not good warrant for abol-
ishing or even amending he law an
less the same can be lone and still
retain the advantage of the general
rule which works satisfactory in tho
great majority Of cases.
"I hava dwell on th{a sJhioct IF
amendment of constitution and law
to a greater extent than some of you
may deem necessary, but my ObserVa-
ton of the trend Of public sentiment
has convinced me that it is COMPARE
lively eas in these days to make radl-
ca! changes of good and salutary laws
and wise reservations in constitutions
il enough active unsound thinkers
make sufficient agitation, for plausi-
bic argument based on isolated cases
or exceptional conditions can always
be advanced and as 1 view the oath
you have taken today 1t Is your duty,
to yourselves, your families, your state
and you country to give of yourselves
your best, most honest, conscientious,
prayerful thought in deciding how you
will stand in matters of this kind.
; Privileges offered.
III UCCoAIl4lS CAIlASIlS u ILLS GULL
try great privileges are given you,
privileges that have been established
by the sacrifices of men and women
who have lived before you, by the
sufferings and hardships of genera
tions now gone, by the prayers and
hopes. the enterprise, fortitude, high
thinking and heroic action Of men
and women who willingly denied
themselves ease. riches, safety and
even life that you and I might have
the guaranty of equality before the
sanctity of the house. freedom OF
speech, independence Of thought and
opportunity OF advancement now
given by the constitution and laws OF
this country, and the government and
the country in admitting o as citi
zens and comforting these privileges
on you is entitled to rely on you to be
honest. law abiding, God fearing, debt
paying citizens Of the community ir
which you live, that you will not stil
up disaffection or insurrection or W.
%tenance disloyalty to the constitutio
of the United States, or of the state
in which you live-that you will use
your best efforts to the creation OF
loyal. consistent, tolerant, constitution
defending public sentiment, to the
election Of only such as you are con
vinced are loyal, honest and capable
to public office, remembering thai
votes may a a man senator, con
gresham, Judge, governor or other Of
ficer, but votes will not make hin
honest or capable, If he was not hon
est and capable in his every day life
and en1ployment-that you will no
countenance public officials who DON,
slider hat public office is a privat.
snap or those who display an ignor'
ance or lack of appreciation or disre,