Evening star., 1933-12-14

Adams has told US that at the time Of
the Revolutionary War at least one
third OF the people Of the Colonies
were opposed to separating from Eng
land. Most of the wealth and influence
of the Colonies were concentrated in
the hands Of those who opposed inde-
pendence. But, In spite Of the oppo-
sition Of the privileged minority. the
armies Of Washington pressed forward
against almost insurmountable obstacles
to victory. Following that independence
came a struggle as critical and as
difdcult as the war itself.
Criticism Of Constitution.
Our Federal Constitution, which lead
ing thinkers in all countries of the
ing document thus far devised by man,
was subjected to bitter and antagonistic
criticism. One contemporary leader,
speaking in the Massachusetts, conven-
ton of 1888. which had met to ratify
the Federal Constitution, said: 20 Lib
erty. thou greatest good! Thou fairest
property! With thee wish to live, with
thee wish to die! Pardon me If I drop
tear on the peril to which she is ex-
posed. cannot, sirs, see this highest
Of jewels tarnished, jewel worth ten
lilOuSdIiQ WOIiuS. 6llu SIldu VIC PAL y
with 1t so soon? Oh, mol"
This critic, as did hundreds of others
of that day, considered that the adop-
ton of the Federal Constitution meant
the definite elimination of most of the
rights and liberties of the people. Both
Washington and Franklin, in the Con-
stitutional Convention of 1857. recog-
nlzed that the Constitution as then
framed was far from perfect instru-
ment. They stated frankly that It had
certain defects which only experience
and administration could correct. And
that great document. imperfect as 1t
was in many ways at the beginning,
with its flexible provisions for change
and improvement, has made possible
the development and growth Of a great
Nation. We are engaged in a similar
experience today.
No sensible person maintains that any
OF our recovery agencies has reached its
final and most effectual form. The re-
covery program is motivated by the
same principles and fundamentals which
characterized our Constitution. With
the whole-hearted support and co-opera-
ton Of all, however. the recovery pro-
gram, with its defects, should be pro-
gressively beneficial to our people.
Charles Summer said, 1.-THE true great
ness of nations is in those qualities
which constitute the greatness Of indi-
| viduals." And 1t is in times such as
these that the true greatness of indi-
viduals, in uniting behind the efforts Of
| a leadership IN which they believe. can
rise to the heights that WIN carry our
Nation on to greater achievements than
ever before.
Courage Exemplified.
During the Mexican War, Gen. Win
| field Scott had brought his forces to the
| foot of the Castle of Chapultepec, q
fort located on hill overlooking Mexico
City. Charging up this hill in the face
Of the Mexican lancers was regarded
| by the commanding officers as almost
certain death. The American forces
were making little progress. and it was
| felt the lancers must be charged. Sew
| eral officers consulted told Gen. Scott
that they preferred not to sacrifice their
| men in such sure-death charge. At
this time Gen. Scott turned to Gen.
Butler, in command of South Caro-
lima regiment known as the Palmetto
Boys, saying, Gen. Butler. can you
take your Palmetto Boys and charge
those lancers?" Gen. Butler, with great
courtesy, said in immediate response,
| General, my Palmetto Boys can charge
hell end take the devil!" 1t Is such q
courage as this that has always char
acterized our people in times of great
| crisis. And today Is no exception. It
| is this confidence in the courage and
| patriotism of the American people that
gives all Of us absolute faith that we
are going to win our charge against the
| forces Of depression. If the depression
may be termed hell" and its causes
"the devil" then, in the language Of
Gen. Butler. we have charged "hen"
and have captured "the devil"
One Of the important lessons we have
| learned during the nine months Of our
recovery efforts is the fact that the
Government here in Washington con-
siders human values first and statistical
| values secondarily. and only as they
| measure the improvement that has
taken place IN human welfare. know
that many people have thought Of the
Department Of Commerce as q vast
Government unit. composed Of various
bureaus, housed in building covering
eight acres of floor space. Many people
think of the Department Of Commerce
only as an organization that makes
economic studies and sends out publi-
cations fuD Of figures and charts. Once
every 10 years, Of course. when the
census is taken. they have a more
extensive contact with representatives
Of the Department Of Commerce,
through its Census Bureau.
Working for Better Conditions
But I would like to have you think
of the Department Of Commerce IN the
same way that I do-in terms Of the
| people who work in and for the depart