Evening star., 1937-12-08
NOTABLES ATTEND
c. j. CELEBRATION
Role of Catholics in Franz
ing Constitution Is
Cited.

Lea py Associate justice Pierce But
Ter of the Supreme Court, a distin-
guished company gathered last night
to hear four speeches featuring the
Catholic University sesquicentennial
celebration of the signing of the Con-
stitution.
Senator's, Representatives, members
Of the diplomatic corps, and nine rep
resentatives OF the original states that
ratified the Constitution were among
those to gather at McMahon Hall for
the celebration.
First speaker on the program was
the Rev. DR.. Moorhouse Miller, pro-
lessor of political philosophy, Ford
nam University, who talked on the
catholic Philosophy of the Constitu-
ton"
Contrasts PHILOSOPHERS
Contrasting the political PHILOSOPHERS
OF Hamilton and jefferson, DR.. Miller
pointed out that it was the false
principles in the JefferSonian tradi-
ton that gave rise to the hybrid liber-
allsm OF our modern democracy with
Its present trend toward mere prag-
matte collectivism.
II from these we turn to the posi-
tive philosophy of the men who had
most to do with the framing, expound-
ing and early Interpretation of the
constitution, we find them standing
for principles that are not only def
nltely coherent but thoroughly dis
tinctive"
Turning from the philosophy back
OF the Constitution to the actual theory
1t embodies, DR.. Miller contrasted a
quotation from WaShington's farewell
address with one from an opinion bv
the late Associate Justice Holmes.
terming the latter quotation sheer
pragmatism" The different ideas en-
bodied in the two, DR.. Miller said, 90
70 snow how far We have travelled
along the line of what we saw to be
the principles or lack of principles of
JeHersonlan democracy, to the COM
plete obliteration both in memory and
understanding of the sound and au-
thentlc principles upon which our
constitution was originally founded
ana which it still embodies."
Recalls Catholic Signers
DIR. Edmund c. Burnett, of the Divi-
sion OF Historical Research, Carnegie
institution of Washington, reviewed
the lives of the two Catholic signers
OF the Constitution, Daniel Carroll and
Thomas FitzSimons.
After tracing the part Carroll played
IN ratification of the Articles of Con-
federation, DR.. Burnett brought out
the PHILOSOPHERS he fostered in franz
ing the stronger and more unifying
Constitution.
Carroll was, on the one hand. suf-
hclently conservative to insist that the
convention should so far abide by the
Articles of Confederation as to pro-
woe Tor ratification of the Constitution
by all l3 states, whilst, on the other
hand, he was sufficiently radical to
favor election of the president by the
people"
In regard to FitzSimons, the speaker
said he "labored to the end that the
Federal Government might have meat
unto strength for the tasks that it
needs must perform" DR.. Burnett de-
elared that FitzSimons was a fore
=
ternal Improvements"
William c. Walsh of Cumberland,
Mo, an alumnus of Catholic Univer-
slty, reviewed the contributions to con-
stltutlonal law made by the four Cath
ollc justices who have been on the Sill
preme Court Bench, one of whom is
Justice Butler.
Cites Taney's Contribution.
Chief Justice Roger Brooks Taney.
VINO served during the trying years
preceding and during the Civil War
Mr.. Walsh pointed out, "emphasized
and defined the rights of the states
and ofthe people and thus
contributed in conspicuous manner
70 the preservation of that balance of
power which it was the design and in
tent of the trainers to establish"
The speaker then reviewed the long
Term OF service of Justice Edward
douglas White. ut was during Whites
~ years OF service that what might
ne termed the modern development of
the Constitution began" Mr. Walsh
said, 1T being between 1890 and 1895
that the court began to be called upon
10 decide the economic and social
questions which the development of
INDUSTRY and the increasing COM
pleXlty OF our civilization were render
ing more and more important"
Associate Justice Joseph McKenna's
service was marked by "solid ability
and high minded devotion to the true
'oeaS OF justice, and his opinions.
some OF which dealt with particularly
important constitutional questions are
considered models of clearness and
sound common sense" the speaker de-
clared
Applause for Justice Butler.
Mentlonlng Associate Justice Butler.
MI walsh said that his presence for
olds any discussion of his labors in this
held, but I am sure echo the senti-
ments not only of this audience. but of
americans everywhere, when express
The hope that Almighty God NAV
grant him many additional years in
which to continue his splendid work"
AT this Juncture the audience burst
INTO loud applause, and the Supreme
Court justice Smiliingly made bow.
The last speaker on the program
the Rev. DR.. Robert ]. White, dean of
the Catholic Law School, talked on
the Constitution and the Encyclicals
OF our Times"
Quoting at length from the Encycli-
Gals, DR.. White showed how they sup
port the principles enunciated in the
Constitution. He contrasted the lib
critics enjoyed in the United States
with the lot of peoples in other coun-
tries and praised IAN ever -watchful
supreme Court" which 'has carefully
delimited the spheres of authority in
upholding the Constitution, based
upon principles which recognize the
moral code"
Representative Sol Bloom, director
OF the United States Constitution
sesquicentennial Commission, spoke
briefly. expressing his thanks for the