The Washington times., 1935-09-24
ST. LOUIS STREETS PACKED FOR LEG|ONS GREAT PARAC
Constitution of Il. S.
Emerged During
Great Stress
By JOHN FRANCIS NEYLAN


hope that the American people would "persevere IN
their affectionate vigilance that precious de-
postory of American happiness, the American
Constitution" (Annual address, 1794)
In his message to Congress, December Is, 1902,
jefferson charged the lawmaking body that they
should "expend the public money with the same
care and economy they would practice with their
own, and impose on the ctizenry no unnecessary
burden" He also charged them Ito keep in all
things within the pale of their Constitutional pow
ers and cherish the Federal union the only rock
of safety thereby endearing to their countrymen
the true principles of the Constitution and promot-
ing union of sentiment and Of action equally aus
picious to their happiness and safety"
Abraham Lincoln in his first inaugural address, warned
specifically that M of the express provisions of the national
Constitution should be executed and that tey were ne
Union would endure forever being impossible to destroy
it except by action provided for in the instrument
itself"
William E. Gladstone the noted British prime minister
ninety years after the writing of the American Constitution
termed it "the wonderful work struck off at
given time by the brain and purpose of man.
And, coming down to own day and immediate hstory
we find the following eloquent tribute:
"The Constitution of the United States has proved itself
the most marveousy elastic compilation OF rules OF govern
written.
Those words were uttered in address to the people of
the United States March 3 $780, by Franklin Deano
Roosevelt at that time prospective candidate Tor the Office
of President
Having in mind these which but few of the innu
merabe Communications of the Constitution by famous men,
let examine its origin and context
To carry the Revolutionary War the thirteen Colonies
transformed themselves into independent States and hen
in the shadow of war; mprovised Confederacy.
They emerged from the struggle victorious They achieved
absolute independence Then standing amid the ruins they
faced the future
When inclined septy in these modern days of depres
son it might be we'll for consider with what problems
the forefathers confronted.
The associated independent States almost exclusively
with
the AS Confederacy and individually, they were
practically bankrupt and the czenry, consisting of three
million souls not worried by sharethewealth plans
there relatively to share
The long drawn-out had cost many lives, disrupted
family and community ties, terminated all commerce with
foreign Shores and rendered difficult the task of
ekeing out existence.
The obligations of the Confederacy and of the individual
States selling fraction of their face value the SOL
ders had not received their pay and the principal foreign
creditor nation was clamorng for payment in full with
interest.
The people were weary hungry and disheartened.
Domestic conditions and foreign relations could not have
been much
In urging constructive action, Washington at time
that the chosen would prove whether the Revo
luton had been blessing a
Following preliminary meetings which had been unsuc-
cesful in reaching solutions of problems arising under the
old Articles of Confederation twelve of the original thirteen
Colonies appointed delegates to convention which met in
Philadelphia, May IA, 1857.
George Washington, who served delegate from the
State of Virginia. elected President and during four
months almost every conceivable problem given consd
Grafton The history of the deliberations is available because
Of the remarkable notes kept by James Madison and pub
lshed for the first time some fifty years later
On September H. 1787 148 years today the 12 States
represented in the convention agreed unanimously the
draugh of the original Constitution which consisted of
articles On September % of the year, the draught
submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in
turn remtted to the different States for their ratification
rejection
The Constitution provided that its ratification by nine of
he hnuI max n6i etUeon fhem On
July 1885, the ratification by the ninth State read
to Congress- and the hirtieth day of April 1789 in the
city of New York Washington having been chosen unan
mousy by the Presidential Electors took the oath of office
prescribed in the Constitution which has been taken by every
succeeding President, including President Roosevelt That
oath is of particular significance, and reads
Il do solemny that will faithfully execute the
office of President of the United States and will the
of my ability preserve protect and defend the Constitution
of the United States PRESERVE PROTECT AND DE-
FEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES"