Show HOUSING TO fundamentals the closing para paragraph graph of Ing tons farewell address given september 17 1796 carries a breadth of understanding that should reach out now to check and calm the strides of a bewildered people it reads in offering to you my countrymen these counsels of an old and affectionate friend I 1 dare not hope that they will make the strong and lasting impression I 1 could wish that they will control the usual current of the passions or prevent our nation from running the course which hitherto has marked the destiny of nations but if I 1 may even flatter myself that they may be productive of some partial benefit some occasional good that they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of party spirit to warn against the mis chiefs of foreign intrigues to guard against the im postures of pretended patriotism this hope will be fully recompense for the solicitude for your welfare by which they have been dictated it Is plain that washington hoped for the best for his country but saw the chances for erring human judgment today some of the count rys best writers and leaders in thought are looking with concern at the plan to change the supreme court they do not question the sincerity or unselfish purpose of the president now in the white house but they see in the suggested method of change a certainty of opening the avenue for such methods later under less selfish leadership the constitution marks the only lase base to which the american citizens can turn for aid when confronted by passing whims that bould would block the path of freedom it should be to every Arne american rican citizen a haven of rest from the confusion of the day the basic ar argument of these who favor changing the personnel el of the supreme court to make it fit one economic viewpoint bolls boils down to a single fundamental issue the court they say must be reorganized because it is not in tune with the times because the constitution prevents much legislation which the people of the country want apparently there is nothing new about such arguments more afore than a hundred years ago they were advanced and answered so 30 effectively that the answer still stands hero here is what daniel webster said then it is hardly too strong to say that the constitution was made to guard people against the dangers of good intentions real or pretended there are men in all ages who mean to exercise power usefully but who mean to exercise it they mean to govern well but they mean to govern they promise to be kind masters but they mean to be masters even years ago when the constitution was adopted and provision made for the supreme court as the umpire upon all laws the drafters provided the constitutional a amendment as the means for eternally letting the people determine how much of their liberties they wanted to surrender surrena er t to 0 a 1 powerful centralized governa go government vernm mi |