The tribune independent of Michigan. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1935, 1934-08-18
REvIyING THE CONSTITUTION

Paradoxical as ii may seem. IL
has been suddenly discovered by |
several leading citizens and orga-
.ni2afions among hem former Sena-
tor and Governor Harry Flood |
Byrd. the Confederate veterans OF |
the United States and several 9th
or societies II like nature that the
Constitution OF the United
States needs reviying.
Stranger than all else. the men
who are going to revive the Con-
lstitution. many of them. arc large
Is responsible for The present
weakness OF the Constitutions: yet
IL is refreshing TO know that "if
the light holds ont TO burn the vii
est sinner Will return" Senator
Byrd of Virginia has been selected
as the chairman OF the movement
TO revive the Constitution.
II must be happy coincidence
that Southern leaders who have
been such potent forces for the
past half century in the destruc-
ton of the Constitution should now
find themselves repentant mouncrs
OF its demise. II is not to be denied
that these gentlemen are under
taking an important work. But
Senator Byrd and his cohorts must
come into the court of equity with
| clean hands. Chairman Byrd must
; first revive the constitution Of his
own State. Virginia. in order that
l il may conform to Article Is. Sec
: ton /, OF the national Constitution
: which he and his committee as
sumo now to revive.
8 Mr.. Byrd will find that the arti-
: Gle referred to above reads as fol
4 lows: THE right of citizens OF the
United States to vote shall not be
>. denied or abridged by the United
: States or any states on account oil
. race. color. or previous condition
n of servitude' II Chairman BYRD
II contemplates being honest in re-
S viving the national Constitution hs
q will very readily be informed tha
charity begins at home.
! But Senator Byrd may answer
that his State. Virginia. has so de
vised. contrived and manipulated
(. as 10 prevent certain citizens from
= exercising the privileges and prer'
= gaiives granted by the nationa
Constitution yet not violate tn
e spirit of its Interpretation. And u
this The answer would be only too
i true. but its very answer Is foun'
y the story Of how and why this ma
tional Constitution which the sen
y ator and his cO-wOrkers seek nov
y 10 revive has come TO be disregard
ed. disrcspccied and nulified.
The southern states and south
ern influences aided and abette'
by the press and in many instance
= the pulpit and the pew, have beel
\ the incubators ont of which hav
J, been Matched The discordant view
~ and opinions that now threaten U
destroy the COnstition. 1t has beel
such precepts examples an
= preachments. germlnaed out
" southern Interpretation of he, Con
stitution with respect OF CERTAIN
~ identities that now make II neces
~ sary 10 call upon all of he peopl
for reaffirmation of faith in thei
~
national laws.
- "The Constitution" says one EN-
~ Uncut authority. sis existent In tn
-, inent authority" which would seer
80 that II embraces each and every II
~ dividual of the nation. But SOUR
=, ern Interpretation has declared
" 10 be existent only In quaiiiie
= electors" and they are to dete,
mine who shall be considered
T.. qualified electors. In so doing u
South has denied In various sta
do constitutions that he national go
81. ernmen has he right to define u
ks privileges OF the electors In a.
" cordance with the plan of the nj
ne tional Constitution.
he The obligation Of the nation IL
IL execute justice. and to punii
nut crime. to repress violence and