Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-02-07


ton of all the important rights of the
States. And it must be realized that
though centralized governments have some
times been successfully operated, none
constituted as ours is can be found among
the number Where hereditary aristoc-
racy or autocracy have created a trained
governing class, Capitalization, though
never safe or compatible with freedom,
may be consistent with absence of scan
dalous abuses. But in democracy the
principle no6lesse obGge has no application,
and when the vigilance of the constitu-
ency is once evaded there are no efficient
restraints upon those who find themselves
in power. To have not only power but
the means of increasing it, is, however, the
most dangerous position in which human
beings can be placed, and it is the present
condition of the member of Congress. For
Congress has for fifteen years been con-
tinually enlarging its own jurisdiction,
and being fortified as continually by
the decisions of the United States Su-
preme Court, it has succeeded in changing
the form of government during that
period, and in stripping the States of
almost the last vestige of their original SOW
ereignty. We do not think that any sober
thinker can regard the political situation
with satisfaction. We do not think the
citizen can entertain that belief in the
greater efficiency of the central power,
assumed by the writer in the atlantic
Monthly. We do not believe that, as that
writer concludes his paper, /" the strong
Government toward which we are stead
silly tending will be Government of the
people, by the people, and for the peo-
"ple." On the contrary, we see in the
tendency of the times toward centraliza-
ton the most alarming movement of Amer
lean history, and one which if not checked
threatens to subvert republican institu-
tions. Even at the present moment the
process has gone so far that the assump-
ton of genuine popular government has
become nothing but a thin pretense. The
people follow factions and still think they
are participating in the government of the
country, but handful of astute politi-
clans control the machinery, and the popu-
lar part in the business is merely rat
ification of previously arranged schemes.
And if this happens now, what can be ex-
pected when the assumed demand for a
still "stronger Government shall have
been responded to? The time is appar-
emily not far distant when Congress will
have usurped the last rights of the States,
and when all governmental measures Of
any consequence will emanate from Wash
ington When that time comes the
People" will be but secondary con-
sideration in the game of politics. The
member of Congress will be sort of
Satrap, governing his province from dis
lance, and relieved from all responsibility,
save to his immediate colleagues and
henchmen. So long as popular credulity
lasts the old ictions of party government
will no doubt be maintained, but the
share of the masses in the legislation
which taxes them and regulates their
business, and limits their opportunities,
will be less than ever, and the openings for
corruption and plumber will be greater
than ever. A wealthy people, an ire
sponsible Government, a supple faction
these are the three factors in the problem.
Can any one find a safe and pleasant solu
ton of it?