Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1944-09-22


to be more fully instructed in the
nature of the Constitution and its
guarantees of their freedom. So in
1914 the National Security league
was organized to promote this in
struction. The league prepared a
catechism of the Constitution, cir
culating hundreds of copies. It
urged schools to devote more time
to the teaching of the Constitution
and observance of the celebrate of
September II.
By 1919 there were active commit
tees working in Al states with chair
men from: presidents of state bar
associations; presidents Of colleges;
chairmen of school boards; presi-
dents of historical societies; state
branches of Sons of the American
Revolution and other distinguished
citizens. Under the guidance of the
league, Constitution day was OBJ
served by % states and a hundred
cities in that year.
The National Security league tried
to counterfeit the effect of attacks
upon the Constitution by radicals out
of office. In 1884 these radicals
charged the Democratic President
and congress with setting up gov
eminent disregarding the Constitu-
ton, a kind which the radicals Of
previous years had advocated. At
that time measures were adopted to
overcome the effects of financial
panic in the fall of 1929 and the con-
sequent business depression.
To Save Our Liberties.
Prominent Republicans and DEM
ocrats organized the American Lib
erty league to use all means in its
power to prevent the destruction of
those liberties guaranteed by the
Constitution. The Constitution day
anniversary in 1884 was observed by
distinguished orators of both par
ties calling legislation for the relief
of business as subversive of the
Constitution. Meetings were held I'M
der the auspices of the SAR, OAR,
YMCA, American Legion and other
organizations. Some speakers de-
Tended the recovery legislation as
constitutional and said they had as
profound respect for the Constitu-
ton as the critics of such legislation.
This difference of opinion on funda-
mental issues made the 1884 cele-
bration more notable than any be-
fore. 1t demonstrated, too, the rights
Americans were privileged to eXer-
else under this same Constitution.
In more recent years there is
growing tendency to have II Am an
American Day" on September II
as an especially appropriate way to
celebrate the Constitution day.
Those who become of age before
that day and any aliens who have
been naturalized are welcomed as
new citizens of these United States
by their local community officers.
The pledge and national anthem CIV
en- by these new citizens has such
tervor that it makes one conscious
anew of what it means to be an
American.
Few Changes.
Perhaps this years celebration Of
Constitution day, just two months
before a national election, would be
good time to look up the Constitu-
ton in any encyclopedia and study
its articles. Drafted by SIS dele
gates from 10 states, who, working
four months in secret session, often
violently disagreed, the Constitution,
now in its 18TH year, has had few
changes in its text. Among all the
constitutions in the world it is the
oldest and yet is well adapted to
the expanding needs of the resource
full American people even in their
complex civilization. Men like Wash
ington, Franklin, Hamilton and Mad
ison had hand in shaping it and be-
cause of their divergent views COM
promised to make more perfect
Union" possible. You will learn that
it confers powers upon the federal
government and again exerts limita-
tons upon both state and central
governments.
Today with accusations hurled by
presidential candidates ringing so
loudly in our ears, quiet contem-
plation of the original Constitution is
almost must for every citizen It
is a good Way to celebrate ConStityI-