The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-10

the american experiment. AS late-
" as sixty years ago. two sections OF
our country were engaged in a bitter
strife, one part seeking to separate it
self from the other because of con-
flicting opinions touching the views of
the limits to which the rights of states
extended.
The efforts to bind the nations of
the world together to some extent are
not unrelated to the early struggles to
make one national of the new states
on this continent. The first plan under
which they were united proved a
failure, and led to the formation and
adoption of the constitution. Regard
less of what individuals may think of
some of the late amendments to that
instrum ent-notably the eighteenth
it is today the oldest constitution of
the oldest continuous government in
the world. according to Arthur Deerin
Call, secretary of the American Peace
Society. and editor of the Advocate
of Peace"
Would Extend Law and Order.
This organization, which has been
in existence since 1915, purposes to
prevent the injustices of war by eX-
tending the method of law and order
among the nations.
The society has just completed a
booklet giving a valuable history Of
the formation of our republic, with
the suggestion that the lessons set
forth in those events gre of great
value in considering the prevention OF
war thruout the world
The first great document in the
move of the colonies to free them
selves from the British crown was, as
every school child knows, the Declara-
ton of Independence. issued July 4,
1876. 1t was not until March 4, 1888,
that the constitution went into effect.
During the years between. the infant
bind
several states into one whole which
would stand the test of time and
trouble.
A committee was appointed by con-
gress to draw up the Articles of Con-
federation at the same time the com
mittee was named to draft the Declar-
alton of Independence-June IL. 1176,
The articles were adopted on NoVem-
Der 8 of the same year, but were not
ratified by all the 10 states until March
l. ISL
Because the legislatures of the new
states ratified the articles of cbnfed-
Grafton. but the people did not do so
by direct vote. It was felt in many
quarters that the instrument had no
binding force. Some states failed to
comply with all of the provisions
Some encroached on the authority of
the federal government, newly set up.
States trespassed on each others
rights. Commercial conditions became
judiciary. especially for settlement of
disputes between the states. Con-
gress found itself unable to collect
certain taxes il had levied. The states
were flooded with paper currency of
little value which speedily became
worthless.
States Acted independently.
Some of the states were negotiating
separate treaties. Others were carry
ing on private wars with the Indians
The states maintained their own
armies. The credit of the new re-
experimenter was shouting his IA
vorite remedy from the housetops.
Not a few were clamoring for a mon
archy. In this grave situation, Alex
ander Hamilton suggested a conven-
ton to revise the articles of confed-
Grafton. Congress ratified this sug-
gestion on February 21. 1887.
When the convention met. George
Washington was chosen as its chair
man. The work got under way slow
was decided upon Instead of revis-
ing the articles of confederation, the
delegates decided to draw up new
document for the approval of the peo-
pie. In this idea was the inception
of the constitution of the United
States. The result of these delibera-
tons everybody knows-or should
know.
The American Peace society now
puts forward Suggestions for a gov
erned world which may be briefly
summarized as urging the nations to
agree as follows:
1. To institute conferences OF ma
tons at regular intervals. in contina-
ton of the, two conferences at The
Hague.
?. To convoke conference as soon
as possible for the Advancement and
extension of interna tional law.
3. To establish an administrative
council of diplomats accredited to the
country in which the international law
conference is held, to represent the
interests of their governments until
succeeding confer ences on interna-
tionaf law convene.
A. To authorize the administrative
council to appoint an executive COM
mittee or secretary's office outside of
its own members, to perform pre-
seribed duties.
5. To empower the administrative
council to appoint other necessary
s. To empower the administrative
council to name necessary technical
advisers.
7. To employ good offices. media
ton and friendly composition wher-
ever feasible and practicable in their
own disputes. and to urge the employ
ment of these means in cases of dis
putes between other nations
s. To organize a commission Of in
Quiry for investigation and report on
disputes
g To provide a council of concilia-
tons for international disputes other
thaR those in the jurisdiction OF the
commission of inquiry
To If