The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1928-06-29

D OuI 1OllCl4luA4ODs IVA No. 0
our freedom.
Framing of the Constitution
The Constitutional Convention
met in Philadelphia, May IA, 1887
to revise the Articles of Confeder
alton, but with admirable bold
ness its members resolved to cast
these aside and to draft a wholly
new Constitution" This famous
assembly of fifty-five delegates.
thirty-nine of whom signed the
Constitution, were students OF
governmental experiments and
had the experience of the English
Constitution and of their colonial
and State governments. Combin-
ed in that notable gathering We're
the vigor and enthusiasm of youth
and the counsel and moderation of
age.
After four months of arduous
labor through a scorching Phila-
delphia summer, a colossal work
was accomplished, 1.-The results of
which were to affect the whole
future of the human race"
In a document containing only
1000 words and $50 distinct pro-
visions, the fathers of this Nation
laid deep and strong the founda-
tions of the most perfect and en-
during temple ever conceived by
the wisdom of sages or %consecrat-
ed by the blood of heroes.
This supreme law of our land
consists of a preamble and sever
articles, to which only nineteen
amendments have been added dur
ing the $40 years of its existence.
The three chief articles deal re-
spectiveIy with the legislative,
executive, and judicial organs OF
government-that marvellous sys-
tenn of checks and balances which
is the very cornerstone of Ameri-
can democracy. The first ten
amendments, known as the Bill OF
Rights, gave permanence to the
great declaration that men possess
inalienable rights, such as free
dom of religion, of speech, OF as
sembly, of the press, and trial by
jury.
Fine Balance
A dual form of government IS
embodied in this sacred instru-
ment which has made it possible
for thirteen weak States to grow
into forty-eight great common
wealths. Never before in the his
tory of man has a government
struck so fine a balance between
States rights and the powers OF
the National Government, each
with it's legislative, its executive
and it's judiciary, moving one
within the other, noiselessly ana
without friction.
That which distinguishes the
American Republic from the other
republics in the past, which have
failed, is the fact that it's Consti-
tuition has made it a representa-
tive government. The ideal OF
local self-government is m OF
IL most priceless heritages.
This is our Government! Our
country! How enviable u lot
who live under such a govern
ment as this!
The vitality of our Constitution
is due to the fact that by usage,
judicial Interpretation and amend
ment. it can be adapted to the
ever-accelerating changes OF the
most progressive age in history.
Through his Interpretation, John
Marshall, Chief Justice of the SUI
preme Court during thirty-four OF
the crucial years of this Republic
breathed into the Constitution
the breath of life and solidifled
the Union. 1t has withstood
shocks Of foreign conflict and the
perils of domestic strife.
Fought for Liberty
Upon our flag have been written
six memorable conflicts, each one
ultimately inevitable. Wherever
our battle flag has been raised, its
purpose has been to relieve SUI
fering humanity from the hand OF
oppression. From the time of the
opening volley of flint-lock mus
kerry at Bunker Hill to that day
in the Argonne Forest when the
news of the Armistice was flashed
round the world, American men
have fought for the ideals of liber-
ty.
We have made our place in the
world through the Union and the
Constitution. A challenge comes
to every American citizen for de
Tending our institution from al
sinister influences, both foreign
and domestic, that u flag may
represent $50 years hence, as II
has represented for $50 years
past. humanity's best hope for or
dered freedom and enlightened
progress.
Jim Ring In Bad With
C Co--iceIopers