Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-17

For several years certain newspapers,
including The Washington Evening
Star, have supported contests by young
orators upon the fundamentals of the
United States Constitution. The birth
day of that Constitution is September
1.-THE day when it became effective
in 1787-142 years ago. So eloquently
have its principles been discussed by
the priZe-seeking school boys and
maidens that it appears presumptuous
to attempt to add another hue unto
the rainbow" Of its glory. Yet. today,
the very essence Of its life and eff
cheney is challenged by all who ques-
ton the authority of its most modern
features, the amendments, adopted un-
original provisions for amending and
keeping it up to modern changes Of
conditions.
Not long ago a United States Sena-
tor, wet" introduced a proposed
amendment which would change the
methods of amending it, but his bill
never even reached vote in the
Senate.
A constitution, like a church's creed,
Is the one statement of foundations
1t cannot be shaky without importing
the whole, Superstructure. While
fear that modern society has grown in
different to the support Of the old-fash-
Toned principles of our Constitution,
since so many seek to give parts of it
their own interpretations to fit their
own license, this attitude is not with
our precedent. We view with alarm"
today the unfaithfulness of statesmen
and laymen as If such a spirit were
new and dangerous
What would we think If an ex-Presi-
dent-Mr. Taft or Mr.. Coolidge-were
to write that he believed the country
was destined to be overthrown within
the next 20 years, for the Constitu-
ton was q failure? That is what ex-
President John Quincy Adams declared
in 1882, even under the inspiring in
fluence of Jefferson's birthday. His
words were:
II had thought that this Federated
Union was to last for ages; now dis
believe its duration for 20 years, and
doubt its continuance for s."
Mr.. Adams was not in his dotage.
After serving as President he was
elected to the House of Representatives,
and was a 65-year- Congressman
when he spoke those pessimistic words.
Nor was Mr.. Adams alone in his
pessimism. The greatest Chief Justice
that has ever sat on the Supreme
Court was John Marshall, and he
echoed Mr.. Adams encouragement
1T yield slowly and reluctantly" de-
clared Mr.. Chief Justice Marshall. ito
cannot last. The Union has been pro-
longed thus far by a miracle"
Yet this was the very man who,
as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,
had put the Constitution upon its most
solid footing by his decisions interpret
ing it.
The period in which pessimism was
thus so disaStrously expressed was one
Of intense partisan excitement, when
President Andrew Jackson, the litter
ate and strong minded Chief Magis-
trate, ruled the policies Of Government
as few individuals have ever been able
to do. Personalities and private preju-
dices, entirely aside from principles of
state, ruled the politics of the day, and
parties, divided upon questions of So
cial precedence and recognition of
ladies of the cabinet, enlisted the out
spoken championship of even the
President, as well as his opponents.
Thus bitterness grew, so that former
President Adams and Chief Justice
Marshall were In despair over the per-
manence of the Republic.
The JackSonians were of the prole-
tariat, the Adams partisans were &C
cused of being aristocratS. Vice Presi-
dent Calhoun led the party of States
rights" declaring the right of q State
to nullify acts of Congress. This led
to direct split between the President
and Vice President. which became ire
mediable. On Jeffersons birthday, at
banquet, President Jackson gave as
toast, Our Federal Union-it must
be preserved"
That same year, when South Caro-
lima, through its State convention called
for that purpose, declared notification
OF Federal laws, President jackson rec
ogniZed the act as one of open rebellion
and prepared to send troops TO suppress
its supporters. In message, he said, II
declare the power to annul law of the
United States, assumed by one State,
incompatible with the existence of the
Union, contradicted expressly by the
letter Of the Constitution. unauthorized
by its spirit. inconsistent with every
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