Evening star., 1937-09-26

STORY OF LAWS PRESENTED
Sesqcentennal Exhibit Library of Congress Presents Genea-
logical Record of Constitutional Growth, With Roots
Leading Magma Charta.


With the Indian Nations, and of the
Congress Of Commissioners From
These British Colonies" Published in
New York In 1854, the book contains
the sermon concluding with this pious
wish Of the Rev. Frelinghuysen:
May the commissioners from the
several governments be directed by
the Giver Of all Wisdom and Under
standing to concert such schemes, or
take such measures, and to join In
such leagues and confederacies at
this present Congress as may prove
enectuM. And may we all, as one
man, as one heart and one soul each
and every one in that ONCE in the
sphere and station In life into which
the Lord hath placed him. endeavor to
promote the glory of God and the
good and happiness OF the whole
community"
FROM the early charters the ex-
hibit leads one to the definite
formation OF State laws and the
period is made real by contemporary
books and manuscripts. There are,
for example. copy of the acts and
Laws Of New England. published in
Boston in 1892, and the Laws Passed by
the General Assembly of New York
State. These latter were published in
New York by William Bradford in
1894, soon after Bradford had been
brought to New York by Gov. Fletcher
OF the middle British Colonies to
serve as royal printer for the Province.
Bradford, 1t is interesting to note,
was not only the FIRST printer, but
the first publisher of a newspaper
in New York State. Particularly in
teresting in this connection is the
manuscript OF the letter exhibited, by
means of which publication of the
laws was authorized by the Speaker
of the Assembly of New York State.
This letter, in the hand OF James
Graham. who was then Speaker of
the Assembly, is dated 1851 and it
served as the official order.
Next displayed in this absorbing
story Of the growth of constitutional
government are the books containing
the various State constitutions, for the
States had reached this point in
governing themselves This section
Of the exhibit is most interesting, as
it presents very scarce copies of I'M
usual documents. There is copy of
the Declaration Of Rights and copies
OF the constitutions of certain original
States that were drawn up even be-
fore the war was won, and in which
1t was tactfully stated that the plan
was provisional. in case of peace, to
tide over the communities.
The constitutions of Georgia. Ken
lucky. Maryland, Massachusetts. New
Hampshire, New Jersey. North Caro-
lima. South Carolina. New York, Ten
nessee, Pennsylvania and Vermont
may all be seen in the exhibit. That
OF Massachusetts, is in its original
binding OF birch boards, covered with
blue paper. In report of a consti-
tuition published in Boston in 1879
it is stated. The people inhabiting
the Territory. formerly called the
Ao'AAiSS cA 1NAoocnShuoCtN Day uO
hereby solemnly and mutually agree
with each other to form themselves
into free sovereign and independent
body polite. by the name of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts"
ONE of the most interesting items
Of the exhibit is found at this
point. 1t is Franklin's original letter
to Thomas Mifflin, the president of
Congress. dated December Is, 1888.
in which he explained the Importance
Of having the various State consti-
tutions published in French. That
letter, in Franklin's hand. reads:
The extravagant misrepresentation
OF our political state in foreign coun-
tries made it appear necessary to give
them better information, which I |
thought could not be more effectively
and authentically done than by pub
fishing n translation into French, now
the most general language in Europe,
of the Book Of Constitutions, which
has been printed by order OF Congress
This 1 accordingly got we'll done and
presented two copies, handsomely
bound. to every foreign minister here,
one for himself. the other more ele-
CANT. for his sovereign.
1T has been we'll taken and has