Evening star., 1937-09-26
By Lucy Salamanca.


~ stitution with the breath of
4 life has been opened in the
Library of Congress as part of the
national sesquicentennial celebration
Of the signing, ratification and adop-
ton of that priceless document OF
human rights. Situated on the sec
ond floor of the Library, at Qne's left
as he faces the shrine of the Con-
stitution, the exhibit represents in q
graphic and enthralling manner by
means Of original documents, manu-
scripts, ancient books, Autographs,
newspaper reports and early charters,
the history of the growth of con-
stitutional government as developed
from early recognition of the funda-
mental rights of human beings set
forth in the Magma Charta signed by
King John at Runnymede, to the
exuberant festivals that commence
rated the formation of our Federal
Government in the New World.
Through the histories of early charters
TO the beginnings of government in
the New Plymouth Colony from decla-
ratlons of rights and constitutions of
the separate States to the first stir
rings toward strong Federal Union
from the era of debate and argument
Tor and against national unity to
the secret sessions of the Federal
Convention in Philadelphia: from the
publication of the Constitution to the
period of debate and heated argument
cation and adoption to the grand
celebrations in New York, Boston and
Philadelphia. the exhibit traces the
whole absorbing story.
1t has been developed in a scholarly
.end fascinating manner by Miss Alice
Lerch, assistant curator of the rare
BOOK collection of the Library of
Congress. 1t has been presented. in
deed, with such distinction, charm
and historical accuracy that the dis
play bids fair to become one of the
high lights of our national celebration.
DRAMATIzING the story of our
Constitution, Miss Lerch drew upon
the rare book collection, of which
merous ancient volumes. old maps,
charters and newspaper records that
illustrate the story will be returned
at the close of the exhibit to the
vaults of that division. where thev
may be consulted later by the general
reading public.
The exhibit is being presented bv
the Library of Congress for several
weeks, and will probably be on dis
play until after the date of the adop-
ton OF the Constitution some time in
October. In the few DAYS that it has
oeen opened extraordinary interest
has been manifested by the public
and it will undoubtedly draw visitors
from all parts of the country before
the date of closing.
There is likewise on display in
the Library of Congress in connection
with the sesquicentennial celebration
q rare and interestig collection of
manuscripts that complete the story
as set forth in the general display.
The general exhibit occupies a row
OF cases. with the case nearest the
shrine of the Constitution as the
starting point of the story. Here it
begins with the root of all English law
the Magma Charta. A fourteenth
century fabricated manuscript COPY
of the Great Charter on vellum and
paper affords the first stimulus to
the imagination. A charming early
printed edition, bearing the date
1923, records in quaint old English
lettering on its fly-leaf. Magma
Carta, whereunto is added more
statutes than ever was imprinted in
any one book before this time" and
adds. "necessarve for all Young
studiers of the lave" It's colophon
announces: Here endeth Magma
Carta, with divers other statutes. I'M
prynted at London in F1eetstreet by
me Robert Redman dwellynge at
the Sygne of the George nexte to
Saynt Dunstores churche. Ammo dni.
MCCCCC xxx"
THE case contains, in addition to
these rare copies of the Magma
Charta, explanatory cards that unfold
the story of the development of con-
stitutional government from the first
struggle between King John and his
barons, whom he was forced to meet
In the meadow at Runnimede upon
threat of withdrawal of their alleg-
lance if he did not restore to them
their rightful laws and liberties. At
this famous conference near Wind
sor in June. 1915, 48 articles were
accepted and signed by John. and
these formed the basis for the Magma
Charta. which was completed at that
time, and the great seal attached.
All took an oath to keep its terms.
and orders were sent to the sheriffs
throughout the land to publish it and
to see that its provisions we're OBJ
served
Until the days of printing. copies
OF the Magma Charta were also made
in manuscript form for general legal
use, and some of these early COPIES
have survived. It is very likely that
the very copies one may see in this
exhibit case today are of this number.
OF the influence of these early books
upon our Gown Constitution, Lord
Bryce had this to say: The Ameri-
can Constitution is no exception to
the rule that everything which has
power to win the obedience and re-
spect OF men must have its roots deep
IN the past and that the more slowly
every institution has grown, so much
the more enduring is it likely to
prove. There is little in this Con-
stitution which is absolutely new.
There is much that IS old as Magma
Charta."
FROM the Magma Charta the ex-
hibit traces the developmentmen
Of law by means of display of
typical law books Of the times. These
60 back as far as Blackstone's first
printings of the earliest charters and
English conventions up to 1865 and
also include famous early English