Evening star., 1936-06-28

r.
a.; :;s is 6: ::.;:: 8:
glad after an Independ-
ence day celebration that his native
land celebrates only one birthday an
niversary year.
However, if he were a super-patriot
he would get out the fireworks and
60 on noisy jamboree at least three
times annually-for our country really
has three birthdays.
Independence day, the birthday Of
the freedom of America. has stolen
the show. For more than a century
and a half it has had a monopoly
on orations, explosives and burned
fingers.
OF late husky rival-Constitution
day, September 17-has begun TO make
inroads on July Fourth's popularity.
The birthday of the Constitutional
was on September II. 1887. that that
historic document was completed and
signed-is winning an amazing num-
Der of enthusiastic supporters, who
independence day.
Lost Birthday"
Then there is the lost birthday"
of the Nation, that momentouS time
April 80. 1889, when the United States
actually took form and constitutional
government began to function. If a
name were given to this birthday it
might well be National day.
Every American is familiar with
the thrilling scenes attendant upon
the adoption of the Declaration of
independence and the ringing of the
Liberty Bell. and with the years of
struggle to make the Declaration
effective.
Until recently Constitution day was
not only unidentified as far as pop
ular knowledge was concerned, but
it didn't even have a name. Then
a Chicago lawyer had a hunch in
the middle of the night that thers
ought to be a crusade to recall the
Constitution to the public mind and
to observe its anniversary.
Atwood Bears Message.
His name was Harry Atwood, and
he tirelessly plodded the land with
his message, urging observance of
Constitution day wherever he could
get hearing. Then political condi-
tions broke" his message to the people
years after his death.
If the rocketing of Constitution day
in public esteem continues-and indi-
cations are that it Wilt will become
a fixed major anniversary in our ma
tional life, a holiday of tradition and
possibly a rival in significance to In
dependence day.
Constitution day might well be a
competitor of independence day, for
both we're born of terrific struggle.
1t is doubtful if the difficulties at
tendant upon the latter were much
greater than those accompanying the
former. Yet of one the public knows
much; of the other little at all.
Beginning of Trouble.
The successful conclusion of the
Revolutionary War seemed also the
end of trouble, but it was really only
the beginning
Colonies which looked upon them
selves as full-blown sovereignties could
unite successfully for war. But to unite
for peace was a horse Of another
color The best they could evolve out
of their niggardliness toward union
was the loose jointed Articles of Con-
federation, which gave them "the
right to do everything and the power
to do nothing"
The inevitable result was the break
out of robust epidemic of anarchy.
The so-called Congress created by the
Confederation simply disappeared.
Number Of Rebellions.
Rebellions sprang up in different
States. More than 5000 men were
called to arms to suppress the insur-
rections. In Massachusetts, private
army of $500 men, headed by veter-
ans of the war, had driven out the
courts in many places. Pennsylvania
maintained its own army to keep the
peace.
The disappearance of orderly gov
ernment ruined to currency until it
became worth only 112 cents on the
dollar. Barter in whisky, tobacco and
foodstuffs took its place. Credit was
gone, war debts were repudiated; help
from abroad, given during the war,
was now refused. Bankruptcy was
universal. Gold stocks were shipped
abroad.
The States were at war with one
another. Tariff barriers were one
weapon; military arms we're another.
State governments were as vicious as
the central government was helpless.
All wanted prosperity, but none would
surrender power.
Washington Fearful.
During the critical years of 1785.
1856, 1887, George Washington sensed
impending doom. As he watched the
steady movement toward the abyss of
anarchy, complete despair and frus-
tration gripped him. He saw the sac
rifices of Valley Forge and the military
success of the Revolution vanishing
into nothingness because Of political
failure.
On October Z, 17s5, he Wkote to
James Warren: THE wheels q Gov