Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 90, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1919 — Argument of Those Who Say, "United States Are,” Instead of “Is" [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

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

By J. M. DICKINSON.

Former Ssaelary cf Wtt

President Wilson has been criticized for referring to the United States as “they,” the idea being that in this country there is an irreconcilable conflict * between people who think of the United States as ‘ iB and people who think of it as “are.” This criticism of the president puts him in the company of very distinguished Federalists. Section 111 of Article 111 of the Constitution of I the United States is as follows: | “Treason against the United States shall consist * only in levying war against them or in adhering to

their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.” In Article XXVIII of the treaty with Great Britain of November 19, 1794, signed by John Juy, chief justice of the United States, and approved by Washington, after a referent* to the United States, is the following : “With the advice and consent .of their senate.” (Treaties and Conventions, 1776-188-7, p. 393.) Article IX of the treaty of 1814 with Great Britain, signed by John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay and Albert Gallatin, begins: “The United States of America engage to put an end, immediately after the ratification of the present treaty, to hostilities with all the tribes or nations of Indians with whom they may be at war, etc.” (Same volume, p. 404.) In the treaty with Great Britain of 1862, signed by William H. Seward and approved by Abraham Lincoln, is the following: “On the part of the United States and in that court which shall sit within their territories.” (Same volume, p. 465.) Such instances could be multiplied without number, but these are sufficient to show that President Wilson is following a well-established precedent. Tfie nature of our government is to be determined by the Constitution as amended and expounded and not by the use of “it” or “they-” . a *