Evening star., 1925-01-20

x X
If, TO meet the first of the three
purposes of this study, the author
uses his sonse of drama IS the vital
izing agency OF historic fact, to meet
the second purpose he employs a quite
different medium. Naturally, since the
theme passes at this point into a dis
cussion of the Constitution itself.
And here you will come into posses
sion of a close analysis of this instru-
ment OF government. And out of this
process you will gather UP in four or
FIVE points the political wisdom, the
political philosophy, of the Constftu-
tion. These points inform you that
your Government is representative in
character, dual in form, that by way
of constitutional limitations 1t gives
guaranty of individual liberty, that it
possesses an independent judiciary.
That's all-eXcept that each of these
elements is taken up in a fine SIM
p9icity of statement embracing the
causes and reasoned effects of its
origin and acceptance. Continuing
with a special discussion of the ju-
dietary, the balance wheel" in our
particular form of government, the
author moves forward TO an equally
important consideration of the sys-
by tho Constitution. And here, as in
every part of this study, Mr.. Beck is,
first, learned-then straight in ap
proach, direct in attack, vigorous, pic
turesque-admirabl near in his con-
tact with the reader. After a states
manly outlook upon "America's s For
eign Relations" we move up, in the
company Of this author, to the mo-
ment at hand, up into the high place
of the present, from which, under his
pointing finger, we are able to look
back over 1871 years of government
under the Constitution, years of enor-
nous change, which. nevertheless,
have not eA austed the accommoda-
tions of that charter of our liberties
created by the fathers of this free
country. And here we stop to weigh
the signs of the present before at
tempting to look into the future.
= x x
We are held up here for a moment
under the reminder that our form of
government, the representative form,
calls for great leaders. Then we are
asked to look around to see whether
or not it be true that there has been
within these later years a marked de-
cline in leadership or is this merely
an iluSory effect out of greatly
changed conditions that somewhat af-
feet standards of value. This discus
sion is for you to read. 1t is not for
report to you. Read 1t. And then go
on to the next point, about which you
are likely to have no uncertainty at
all. This is, THE Revolt Against Au-
thority." Is there such revolt? If
there be, what is the cause of it?
Where is it leading? Is it having,
can it have, any substantial effect
upon the character and quality of this
Government? For order and sanity
and unbias OF mind this part of the
study commends itself to the careful
attention of all readers-as a matter
of fact, to all the men and women in
a country that depends upon them for
it's sustenance and it's life. And this
last point is the sum of the matter
For the whole story converges upon
individual responsibility for the con-
tinuance of that which has so long
and so capably served the highest
uses of this beloved country. 1t is
not good reading - these authenti-
Gated facts about the general apathy
of the people, the individual lack ot
interest and responsibility toward
that which has so long sheltered us
from storm, that has so long permit
ted US to grow in security and pros
| perity and freedom.
X X X sf
A quite splendid and noble work
solid in content, thrilling in its move
ment. One comes out Of 1t with 9
| dolorous picture, nevertheless, that OF
the millions OF little children. 12 years
! old or thereabout, who have stuffed
| down inside of them the words of the
| Constitution, conned at school anC
rattling around in their little inte
riors like dice in a box. With such
| live book as this within reach, too
No, this is not an attack on public
| education. 1t is merely the lament o,
a school teacher in the face of sucI
| possibilities as book of this quality
| offers. For, II Is clearly grea
treatment OF . momentous subject.