Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1919 — Argument of Who Say, "United States Are,” Instead of “Is" [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Argument of Who Say, "United States Are,” Instead of “Is"

By J. M. DICKINSON,

Former Secretary of War

President Wilson has been criticized for referring to the UnitecLStates as-ythey,” the idea being that in this country there ,isl an irreconcilable conflict, between people who think of th<‘ United States as "is” and people who think of it as "are.” This criticism of the president puts him in the company of very disi mginshed.-Federalists. g. Svtion 111 of Article 111 of the Constitution of the United States is as follows: “Treason- against the United States shall consist onlv in lowing war against them <>r in adhering to

their enemies, giving them aid and coinfort. No. person shall be convicted pf treason unless on the testimony <if two witnesses to the same overt act. or on confession in open court." lij Article XXVIII of the treaty with Great Britain of November 19, ; I'9l. siffned bv ,Tohn Jav. chief justice of flic I nited States, and approved bv Washington, after a reference to the I nited States, is the folt lowing: -' T ■ .‘ \ ~ , - ■ / ... "With the advice and coii.-ent of their >enate." (I reaties and Conventions, 17 7«‘»-ISS7, p. 393.) Article IX of the treaty of 1814 with Great Britain, signed by John Quincy Adariis, Henry Clay and Albert Gallatin, begins: “The United States of America engage to put an end, immediately after the ratification of tfie present treaty, to hostilities with all the tribes or nations of Indians with whbm they may be at war, etc. (Same- volj ume r p.404,V f ± ———- --• ' . In *tht> treaty with Great Britain of 1862. signed by William. 11. Seward and approved by Abraham Lincoln, is.the. following: “On the pflri of the I nited States and in that court which shall ait within their territories." (Same volume, p. 465.) - ■ - Sm h in-I;in<-c- omld he multiplied without number, hut these are i BitftieienU’ttr show that Piesident W ilson is following precedent. The,nature of our government is to be determined by the i Constitution as amended and expounded and not by tjie use of "it” or “they.” -