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


of America was adopted September u,
1887, one hundred and forty-two years
ago. II Is the basic law of the land
which officials of the Government swear
to uphold But IL is not alone the duty
of the officers Of the Government to
uphold the Constitution. 1t is duty
that falls equally upon every American
citizen. In order to uphold and to live
is essential that American citizens
should be familiar with this great docu-
ment-the greatest document of its
kind in the world.
To far too many the Constitution is
surrounded by nebulous haze. regard
ed as state paper for legislators and
lawyers to deal with. 1t Is not neces-
sary that citizen shall know by reart
the wording of the Constitution. What
is necessary is that he shall know the
principles of Government which are laid
down in the Constitution. shall know
the true implication Of those principles
and be guided by them in his perform
ance of his duties as citizen. For that
reason the American Bar Association
and other patriotic organizations have
sought to have Constitution day. cele-
brated in all parts of the land, and to
have the schools, churches and the
press give attention to spreading knowl-
edge of the Constitution curing the
entire week in which September II
falls each year.
The laws of the United States. en-
acted by Congress and approved by the
Chief Executive-or Notwithstanding
the disapproval of the latter in the
event Congress passes a bill over the
presidential veto-are written in the
ligi8 of the Constitution. They must
not violate any provision of that Con-
stitution. The laws of the States, en-
acted by the State Legislatures, also
must conform to the broad principles
laid down in the Constitution. The
rights of the citizens and of minorities
are guaranteed in the Constitution
against invasion by tyrannical laws or
ohicials Of Government.
The Constitution is the property of
the people of the United States. It is
theirs to uphold to amend. or to de-
stroy. The authority of the Constitu-
ton comes from the people themselves.
The Constitution itself provides the
manner in which it may be changed if
the people so desire. To seek to annul
1t or to violate it amounts in effect to
treason to the United States. This is
a country of law, grounded upon the
provisions Of the Constitution. When
1t ceases to be country Of law. when
the constitutional provisions are haunt-
ed and defeated by individuals or by
Legislatures, then will Government be
broken down.
I'VE. the People of the United States,"'
begins the Constitution, lin Order to
form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice. insure domestic Tranquility,
provide for the common defense, pro-
mote the general Welfare, and secure
the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves
ain W Jul GOoGCAl1y, uU OIudlu ana eS-
tabltsh this Constitution for the United
States of America"
High aims. indeed. A Government of
the people and by the people should be
q Government for the people. The
Constitution sets UP a representative
form of Government. 1t is vitality neces-
sary, therefore, that the people who
choose their representatives shall at all
times be diligent in the selection of
these representatives. that they shall be
willing to study the questions which
come up for decision in Nation, State
and community And particularly is it
necessary for the welfare of the whole
people that they shall have in mind
and heart the true meaning of their
Constitution.