Evening star., 1941-12-16
Bill Of Rights Called
Bu|wark Of Liberty
By Forum Speaker
Constitutional Guarantees
Sacred Even in War Time,
Suys Chuirmun Bloom

The Bill of Rights of the Consti-
tuition has remained bulwark to
individual liberties even against
efforts of Presidents and Congresses
to abridge them, Chairman Bloom
of the House Foreign Affairs Com
mittee said last in a National Radio
Forum address arranged by The
Star and broadcast over a coast-to-
coast National Broadcasting Co.
network.
Americans impose limitations
upon themselves during war or
threat of war, but against their will
no Government nor public official
can restrict their rights" Repre-
sentative Bloom declaerd. And
even during war their individual
rights are sacred. Neither Congress
nor the President nor the courts can
suspend the Bill of Rights on ac-
count of war"
Text of Mr.. Blooms address fol-
lows:
1t happens that the 150th ami
versary of the establishment of the
American Bill of Rights falls in the
same month when a foul blow has
been struck at the United States by
one of the despotisms that deny
and trample upon the rights OF peo-
pies. including their own people.
December, 1941, marks the begin
ming of a struggle that can have
but one ending-the liberation OF
peoples suffering under tyranny
and the triumphant vindication OF
the liberty that Americans have en-
joyed since the Republic was estab-
Ished.
When the madmen who mis-
govern Japan struck this treacher-
Gus blow at America they did not
dream that they were sounding the
death knell of their own system OF
tyranny. But this is what has hap
pened.
Now, as we look back upon our
own history, we ask with awe and
reverence, is it e mere accident
that America Is called upon at this
time to vindicate the rights of men?
Is it not more than coincidence
that at this milestone marking our
ancient liberties we are assailed by
q foeman from the other end Of
the earth? Why does he come?
What does he demand?
Stand Where Forefathers Stood.
He comes to strip us OF our liber-
ties. He demands that we shall
surrender our rights to him.
Americans. you stand now where
your forefathers stood, fighting for
liberty.
We perceive now that it was not
In isolation that the fathers OF the
Republic struck the blow that made
them free. They were battling for
all humanity. They were the In
carnation of the spirit OF liberty.
We see now that Providence was
working in a mysterious way, In a
new world, with a new type of men,
bold pathfnders who burst their
way through forests and wilder
nesses, and with equal boldness
throwing off the chains OF ancient
wrongs. They were born as free as
the eagles above them.
II was for the renewal OF the
hope of all mankind that Provl-
dence made way for liberty on this
continent. Americans proved that
liberty could be achieved and held
They have held 1t against all as
sailants from without and within
They could not have done this un-
less they had been blessed by the
favor of Almighty God. We cannot
hold our freedom in our day unless
We prove ourselves worthy OF that
blessing. We must earn the favor
of Providence.
1t was on this very day, $50 years
ago. that the Bill of Rights was made
a part of the Constitution OF the
United States. From that day tc
this, every one under the American
flag has been protected against the
misuse of official power. This char
ter has kept the American people
the masters instead of the serfs ol
their Government.
The people were fearful that the
Government they were creating
would tryrannize over them. They
decided that their rights and I'M.
munities must be safeguarded by be-
ing embodied in their Fundamental
law, the Constitution, so that thu
Government and all its officer!
should be bound to respect them.
Madison Overcame Delays.
In the first session of the First
Congress, James Madison, in th'
House of Representatives fulfilled
his pledge to press for Bill o
Rights. He was obstructed by man,
who made excuses for delay. Con
gress was swamped by the flood o
business. 1t was organizing the ney
Government. 1t had to raise rev
enue, regulate commerce and navi
cation. set up executive departments
organize the judiciary arrange tn
relations between itself and the Ex
ecutive, provide for the common de
fense, treat with powerful Indial
tribes. create diplomatic and con
sular corps, choose the seat of Gov
ernment and do everything els
called for in the mighty task G
setting a nation in motion. Mem
bers protested that amendment c
the Constitution should wait unit
the Government was in operation.
With great tact and perSistenc
Mr.. Madison pressed for considera
ton of the amendments constitutin
the Bill of Rights. The Stat
conventions had suggested man
amendments. The debate covere
the history of mankind in its strue
gle to devise strong governmer
which at the same time will M
oppress its own people.
The outcome of the debate was tf
adoption of a resolution submittir
specific amendments to the Legislf
lures. This was done on Septem
Der 26, 1889, three days before az
iournment of the first session
Congress.
On the same day when the b
of Rights was perfected by Congre
this resolution was adopted:
Resolved, that joint commits