Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-15
A DAY DEDICATED TO THE
CONSTITUTION

the Maine state bar ASSOcldtloH
could have dedicated their day to
no more fitting or worthier subjects
than State and Federal Constitu-
lions. The members Of no other
profession have opportunity for bet
ter understanding of the principles
involved or better trained COM
prehension Of proposed alterations
and their probable effects. We wish
there might be brought vitality
home to the mind of every citizen
dhe clearest possible understanding
OF the principles involved and the
speciousness of many of the pro-
posed changes.
Intelligent people. who may be in
formed by the truths presented by
the Honorable Charles Warren in
his address before the Association
Will hesitate about voting blindly, or
without thorough investigator for
changes In the Bill of Rights, under
which the people have enjoyed pro-
lection and prosperity unequalled in
any other part Of the world.
We believe he is right in his con-
clusion that the public is hungry
for the facts, for all the facts; that
too often this hunger is denied that
which it Graves. Who better fitted
to acquaint them with all the facts
than those trained in logical think
ing and in knowledge of the law, If
they will but attend to it? His
earnest plea that they do this should
meet with some response.
Truth, a self-governing people
must have if they are to continue
self governing. They are beset by
these who either do not know the
truth or are for suppressing it. Too
often people are given the stone Of
demagogy for the bread Of fact.
The truth is the staff of life of self
government. within its sphere =
court Is the best constituted human
egsncy for determining the legal fact.
True. It works within human limita-
tions, but 1t must be conceded by
those who seek the evidence, that 1t
has done its work wonderfully we'll.
The speakers careful analysis Of
the two proposals now before the
public for modifying the limits of
the Constitution, conclusively, it
seems to US, demonstrated that the
effect Of these proposals would be to
make Congress the dictator Of the
Supreme Court, to a degree that is q
menace to our constitutional gov
eminent, a menace Of threatening
aspect.
It would be idle to expect that we
might appease the discontinued.
soothe the restless or satisfy the
ambitions Of wreckers by throwing
our Bill Of Rights-into the waste
basket, they would be even more
troublesome than before. And those
Rights have been won at too great
expense. Once destroyed another
tremendous struggle would be re-
euired In construction OF a substi-
tute, II we should have the courage
to undertake it.
The remarks Of Chief Justice Cor
nish, respecting the tact and court
esy that have prevailed in the con-
fiict Of authority between our State
and Federal officials in the exercise
Of dual sovereignty, contribute to
assurance. So long as such mutual
respect for mutual rights may be
sustained this problem of dual
sovereignty need not make us ap-
prehensive. Names record in this
respect appears to have been most
commendable.
We occasionally hear 1t said there
is nothing sacred about the Consti-
tuition. Under 1t men have died by
thousands to maintain the Union
founded upon it: under 1T millions
have been blessed with prosperity
and higher attainment; under it the
weak have found protection such as
is afforded them in no other part Of
the world. If there be nothing
sacred about it, there yet are sound
reasons for staying the ruthless
hand that would wreck it. Under it
the individual has found a liberty.
By pervertlng or changing the Con-
stitution there are those who, know
ingly or ignorantly, would imperil
that liberty.
Among such are those striving to
substitute license of the group for
liberty of the individual. or as one
speaker described It: 1--WE are for
getting the individual in our group
psychology" instead Of trying to CO.
ordinate the advantages Of both, az
the advantage of the State and of
the Federal Government are CO.
ordinated. Unless we do this the
trend Of the group will pull US back
along the cycle to herd psychology
1t will not do to forget that the
government was made for US, other
wise we may repeat the terrible
mistake Of the Germans who came
to believe they were made for the
government. and were goose step.
ped into national disaster.
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