The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-02-07
SELECT LITERATURE.
THE STRONG GOVERNMENT IDEA.

From the atlantic NonttlH
need not review the history of the
country to prove that up to this time
there has been steady progress towards
the realization OF broad ideal of ma
tional authority. Everybody knows how
the constitution grew out of the demon
strated weakness of the confederate
scheme of government. how the ability
of the nation to deal with foreign enc
mics was shown by the War of 1912 and
the Mexican War; how in the long con-
ilict between the opposing theories of
State sovereignty and national supremacy
the former idea grew in strength. while
the latter drew its nourishment only from
the eNigencieS of the slave system; and
how, finally, the civil war made the one
theory patriotism and loyalty. and the
other treason, while immensely strength
ening the recognized powers of tie
national government and giving it hold
on the hearts of the people it never had
before. The states rights theory sur
wives, it is true, but only as sentiment
associated with the beaten rebellion
Even in the South the younger generation
does not understand it. or care for it.
The intelligent whites have made use Of
it to some extent. under the cry of
home rule. to release themselves from
the consequences of negro suffrage: but
it is not the living force i'll the convictions
of great masses of people which it used
to be. In its place there has come what
the democrats call "opposition to the
centralizing tendencies of the Republican
party This opposition is scarcely for
INFLATED. however, into political creed.
and no Democrat ventures to give the
old discredited name of State sovereignty.
The existence and strength of the ten
dency towards nationalism are clearly
| shown by its avowal by one political
party, and by the hesitancy OF the other
to autagoniZe it with the counterpOiSe of
State rights. \ blind opposition without
Il well-detined hostile theory of govern
ment is a recognition of its force. If it
were necessary to seek for further proofs
of the existence of the centralizing
| movement, we should find them in a
multitude of projects of legislation
brought forward every Winter at Wash
inston, in the assertion by the Republi-
can party Of the duty of the government
to protect the citizen in his right of sui
frage, and in the impossibility Of con,
Quoting State canvasscs on State issues.
The latter evidence is an important indi
cation of the condition of the public
mind, irrespective of party feeling. 1t is
very difficult now to have 4 state election
that will be purely verdict on State
affairs. There may be important State
offices to fill. amendments to the State
constitution to ratify OF reject, and iesis
lativc acts closely affecting the welfare OF
the people to approve OF condemn; but
when the contest grows hot, both parties
draw their ammunition from Washington
and fight the battle over questions RAISED
in national conventions, or at the las
session of Congress. Men Of first rate
talent can barely he persuaded to go t,
the legislature. and the State government
have fallen into the hands of small poll
ticanS, who use them as mere stepping
stones to influence and place in nationa
politics.
1t may be said in reply that we have
a great political party opposed to cen
tralzation. and that its triumph. whicl
in the natural course of politics mus
some day come, will reverse the engine
and set the country back towards the ole
States rights theories. grant that thu
masses OF the Democratic party in tn,
North are opposed to strong govern
ment Being incapable of governing
themselves wisely, they dislike all form
of restraining authority. The leader