Milford chronicle., 1923-09-14
UNCLE TED'S
BEDTIME STORIES
CONSTITUTION DAY

whats that you're talking about" "
said Jack. Il guess know something
about the Constitution. 1t was signed
on September 16."
"And what day do you say it was
signed on?" asked Uncle Ted speak
ing to Ruth.
Il said it was the 17th," answered
Ruth. ,o
"The 18th is correct" said Uncle
Ted. "That should teach you' jack
never to argue with a lady. The young
er YOU learn that, the better OIL you
will be. I wonder if you both know
the big man at the head of things
when the Constitution was framed.
"George Washington" answered
Jack.
"That's right. He was President ana
denutv from Virginia when the Con-
stitntion was signed. All of the thir-
teen original States ratified the Con-
stitution in either 1887 or 1888 with
tbe exception of two. North Carolina
ratified in 1889 and Rhode Island IN
1890. Now, each year, September IL is
known as Constitution Day for 1t was
on that day in 1889 that the document
which has so well stood the test OF
time was signed. In many cities, towns
and villages throughout the United
States that day is remembered WIN
itting ceremonies. To me it should be
as important a day as the fouII4 u
July. True enough, the Fourtn OF July
stands for the day our liberty Dega4'
yet September II represents the Dlnu-
ing together of nation with Cocu-
ment that never was and proDaDly
never will be duplicated for fore
thought and thoroughness.
"This is the age of rush ana DanS
and our thoughts are too mucn upon
what we call modern and new IDEAS.
That is all fine We should and must
progress and it is right that we should
have ambition for new and better
things. But some people are ignoring
all the lessons of experience and pro-
posing to overturn our system of gov
ernment by changes that are reVolu-
tionary and destructive.
"Nobody undertakes to say that our
Constitution is or ever was pertect'
In fact, the men who wrote the Con-
stitution recognized that it was I'M
perfect and made provision Ior
changes in it. But they made amend
ment quite difficult so that there cou!o
he no change until after long public
discussion and then only when large
majority of the people favored the
change. A proposed constitutional
amendment must be supported by
two-thirds vote in each House of Con-
gress and be ratified by three-fourths
of the states. 1t is pretty safe TO say
way will not be very far wrong
But there are a lot OF people IN
this country who are opposed 10 our
whole system of government-opposeu
to any kind of government, IN tact;
That is, they are opposed TO any Kllu
of government that stands IN the way
of what they want, but 1 notice that
when any Of them get into trouble
they are mighty quick to demand
their constitutional rights.
"People who are opposed TO our
form of government are either 1gnor-
ant or vicious. don't see how anyone
can know the history of our govern
ment and observe the progress OF our
people have made under it's protec-
tion. and still be opposed to it. 1t IS
nothing short of marvellous what mas
been accomplished in a few years,
Back in the 1905 and 1S4O's central
United States was practically a Wild
erness. Chicago was a village, ST.
Louis a trading post, and New YORK
City was a small town compared with
what it is today.
"And yet there are lot of people
who enjoy the benefits of our govern
ment and the prosperity and happl-
ness it has brought, but still tight It..
"But can't that be stopped?" asked
Ruth.
"Yes, to some extent, Ruth. When
ever we find any alien fighting our
government, we ought to send him
back to his own country as quickly
as possible Then when any citizen
who opposes our form of government
is caught in disloyal acts, he should
be punished as severely as the law
will allow.
Constitution Day is a good time
for all of us to determine that we will
ourselves be more careful in uphold
ing the Constitution and laws of the
country and that we will then help
compel others to do the same"