Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-10-08
The Passion for Amendments

THE addition OF two amendments TO the
L Federal Constitution within the past
three years has only served to whet the APP
petite OF that element Of our population
which regards the work Of the trainers OF
that document as imperfect and incomplete
for still more amendments. There are GER
tain things which the Constitution forbds
,hc Federal government to do. or does not
grant it the power to do, which these amend
ers think betrays short-sghtedness on the
part OF the fathers OF the republic in max
ing adequate provision for our future needs
in the way of legislative direction OF our
pursuits Of industry and Improvement.
Hence, several movements are under way
TO create sentiment TO support demand for
a number OF new amendments to our
ganic law. The supporters of these new
proposals rightly conclude that Congress is
too cowardly TO dispose of them on Its own
judgment as TO their merits, the practice of
that body being to sdestep its constitutional
duty by either approving or fisupproving
their wisdom and passing them on to the
people. acting as Il mere submitting body.
On the other hand, many earnest stu
dents OF our government in the original
integrity Of its functioning as designed by
lis founders are becoming seriously alarmed
lest this passion for adding new amend
ments to the Constitution, if not halted.
steadily 10 DrlnS ABOUT very serious
changes in the nature and cha racter of our
government indeed OF our whole political
system. including States as we'll as nation.
Under recent amendments the power of the
Federal government has been greatly en-
larged at the expense of State authority.
The effect Of these amendments has been
to centraize power in the Federal COVE: Il
mcnt that greatly weakcns the principle OF
local scif-governmeni, which the fathers
thought TO be absolutely essential to good
government.
To combat this movement TO undermine
the strength of our government in the
original purpose for which il was created
there has been incorporated in Massachu
sets an organization composed of patriots
pledged to maintain the fundamentals of
the Constitution. The organization is
known as the Sentinels of the Republic. 1t
aspires to make every citizen sentinel
and every home a sentry box" In addi-
ton to pledging allegiance TO the Constitu-
ton, members of the organization also
promise to oppose further Federal cncroach-
mcnt upon the powers. of the States, TO stop
the spread OF socialism, to discourage con
Centration Of power in Washington through
the multiplication OF administ rative bureaus
under "A free Interpretation of the general
welfare provision OF the Federal Constitu-
Won, ana 10 hcIp preserve Tree rcpnDIlcah
form of government i'll the United States
These pledges represent worthy pro-
gram Of undertaking They should consti-
tute the keynote of individual and collec-
tive effort 10 combat the influences that are
steadily gaining strength in purpose to
change the whole character and nature OF
our government. The fact that the organ
ikation begins its career by adding to its
rolls the entire membership of the National
Association for Constitutional Government,
the Public Interest League the League for
the Preservation of American Independence.
the Constitutional Liberty League, and the
INSTRUMENTATION Club, gives II strength
and standing at the outset that augurs well
for the healthy influence it will exert upon
American public opinion and aspiration.