James Beck: “A few men, however, standing on the mountain ranges of human observation, saw the future more clearly than did the mass.”

Without that vision to restrain each succeeding generation of Americans from the tempting excesses of political power, the American Commonwealth, with its great heterogeneous democracy, would probably perish.

Of this spirit one of the noblest expressions is the Constitution of the United States.

If it ceases to be of the spirit of the people, then the yellow parchment whereon it is inscribed can avail nothing.

That vision will remain with them as long, and no longer, as there is in their hearts a conscious and willing acquiescence in its wisdom and justice.