The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-09-19
R0TARIANS
PAY RESPECT TO
CONSTITUTION
Judge Birdzell Emphasizes
Significance of Week
Points Out Duties of
Citizenship

Constitution week was f.ttingly
celebrated this noon at the Rotary
luncheon at the Mckenzie hotel.
Members Of the local and state judl-
ciary, the attorney general and other
prominent members of the legal fra
ternity were guests of honor.
Judge Luther E, Birdzell was the
chief speaker, and he traced the de-
velopment of the constitution and
the transition period betwee, the
Articles of Federation until the final
adoption of the present constltn.
tion.
He declared that the courts cannot
make the law but that law comes
from the accord Of the people, j. is
born of the peoples customs and be-
comes effective and sacred as the
citizens stand back of It.
1.-THE constitution of Mexico is as
good in FORM" he said, "as that Of
the United States, but it is not rs
effective nor does it function as dpcs
our fundamental law because the
backing of public opinion and the
force of courts are lacking.
II care not how fine the form of
a constitution is; if it is without
the will of the people it is not ef-
fectual. One of the most important
duties that confront US today ls
knowledge of and respect for our
fundamental laws.
"There is danger in the inertia
that comes from feeling, oh the
government will do this and thnt.
We get action and perpetuity Of in.
stitutions only in proportion as we
are concerned personally whether the
will of the people is being carried
out and whether public opinion is
fairly represented in the execution
of our laws. That to me Is the most
important thing. The government is
in business today and must Of need
stay there, SO it is of great impor.
lance that every citizen be alert
where the Interpretation of the law
is involved. |
Gladstone paid a great tribute to
the American constitution is this
Gas our British constitution is
surely an expression of purpose and
history so is the American constitu-
tion the greatest work stricken oft
by the hand and purpose Of man ir
any given time !,
81 rather take issue with this as
being only half truth nobly as j: Is
expressed. To me, our constitution u
as truly an expression of purpose
and history as the, great unwrittef
constitution of England. Our funda.
mental law grew out Of the purpose
and experiences of the fathers Wlf1
won independence for this natioa.'
He then recounted the historical
phases that led up to the final adop.
ton Of the constitution. How en-
barrassments arose under the arti.
cles of federation under which !
strong central government could not
function and the great work Of Ma
Olson, Washington, Jefferson, nnG
others in the framing Of TIT doc.
ument. @
Rotary quarters were appropriate,
ly decorated for the OCCASION Ale.
glance ~ the flag and constitution
was reiterated by those present who
stood at attention and repeated the
sacred oath binding on all loyal AM
orleans.
Supt. Saxvik presided at the meet.
ing and introduced to Rotarians Prof
Bublitz, the new principal of the high
school.
]. ]. Macleod told of his motor
trip through Canada and Michigan
He described the development OF
tourist camps throughout that region