The examiner., 1882-02-25
Workingmen Awake ! Throw off the Deadly Stupor Which False Security

Workingmen Awake Throw off the Deadly Stupor Which False Security
 Engenders!
 In communities of individuals, under any system of government, certain classes of individuals will become subject to, and. to some extent, under servitude to the re- maining members of the community.
 The extent>of this servile condition de- pends, first, on the form of the govern ment, and, second, on the interest taken by the people in their relations to the gov ernment. The ancestors of the founders of this Republic were driven from the shores of England by the tyranny of English Kings. Our forefathers were driven to separation by the tyranny of an English parliament.
 So far as civil government is concerned our ancestors, in their days, were men of liberal ideas, and their children imbibed that love of liberty which afterward took form in the Declaration of Independence, which declared that all men are created equal.
 When the colonies assembled together their intention and desire was to form a government to secure equality, and the natural rights of man such as life, liberty of thought and action, and the pursuit of each individual after happiness after his method, with no restrictions only such as should be necessary for the happiness of all.
 The compact which the colonies entered into resulted finally in our present consti- tuition.
 The political fabric which they wove is the most perfect in form and action, to se- cure complete liberty of the individual, of any that human wisdom has ever de- vised.
 The law making power is in the congress, the members of which arise directly from among the people and are of the people. The executive is substantially elected by the people and must be of the people. His duties are simply to execute the laws, or in other words, to obey the directions of congress.
 The third branch of the government is of the most inestimable value and is the greatest safe guard to our liberties and our existence as free people. I refer to the judiciary.
 Nothing can overthrow our republic save impurity and corruption in it's courts and apathy and ignorance in the masses.
 The value of the judiciary lies here. Congress has no power to enact any law or assume any authority, only such as is expressly allowed and given it by the con- stitution. Any citizen questioning the power of congress in any of it's acts has the right to appeal to the courts and on their decision rests the validity of the matter in question.
 The power of congress and duties of the executive are plainly written in this chart of government, while they act within it their acts have force over the whole land :; when they overstep the authority therein conferred, their acts are powerless and of no more value than a decree issued to the same end by the weakest of the people.
 There has been much laughter and much sport made of our constitution by one of the great parties in the country dur ing the last twenty years, and the people have been taught that liberal construc- tion should be put upon the provision of this valuable writing. But, MT. Editor, hberality means a free and easy way of dealing with matters, and the liberties of a people will not bear to be handled in that way, they are fragile, they need constant watching with tender nursing. Therefore we should construe strictly and to the let ter the directions of those from whom we inherit, who know what tyranny was and consequently how to provide and guard agalnst it.
 Thus we see how power lies with the voter to perpetuate our government or to unmake it.
 We are silently drifting into those courses which end in the utter subiuga- tion of the producer to the accumulator. The people who have the power to direct the current of affairs are carried upon the stream, they know not where, and, seem- ingly, they care little for the future while they have quiet and comfortable present. This apathy, this want of thought has brought death to liberty in the past and will bring distraction in the future.
 The question of the servitude of the people rests entirely with the voters of America.
 If they desire to leave slavery as an in- heritance to their children or to their chil- drens children they have only to remain listless and slavery will come, as it has come to other people who were too indo- lent and ignorant to govern themselves.
 Workingmen, awake throw off the deadly stupor which false security is cast ing upon youl Examine the election franchise, use it intelligently and despot- ism can never usurp the rights and iber- Aioc oF o;A;1ap