Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-25
"RetOrm."
To the Editor of the Globe:

To the Editor of the Globe:
1 read with interest, and I must conf ess
with much surprise, your report of lect-
ure on the above subject, and the debate
following.
was not surprised that you reported it,
because your paper gives a fair showing
through its columns for all reformatory
measures, and you take more painsato re
port all reform meetings than any other
paper in Minneapolis or st. Paul, notwith-
standing your editorials are frequently on
the aorong side of right, but 1 was sur
prised, indeed, at the statement made and
the position taken by those who
took part in the meeting.
You say the leading paper of the even
ing divided the people of this world into
three classes: First, those opposed to re-
form; secondly, the neutlals; thirdly, the
reformers. You then state that the paper
mentioned as one of the special obstacles
to reform the apathy and Indifference of
the third, or reformatory class, in regard
to enforcing the present laws.
Ours is a government ''of the people, by
the people, and for the people" The form
of this new government that ''derives its
Just powers from the consent OF the ma
jority governed" is not purely democrat
ic; but is representative. The representa-
tive form meets an absolute demand. The
democratic form would be utterly
impracticable for so great and populous
commonwealth as are the states compos-
ing this nation. Our government is divid-
ed into three departments Legislative, ex-
ecutive and judicial. The first, to enact,
the second to enforce, the third 10 deter
mine legality.
If we were living under democratic
| form Of government then the private citi-
zen would be in duty bound to attend per-
sonally to the enforcement of law,but IN
der a representative form private citizens
delegate that power to the executive de-
partment of government, and pay certain
ones who are chosen for that purpose
| to devote their entire atten-
ton and skill to the en-
forcement of the laws enacted by the legis-
lative department.
| If private citizen undertakes to usurp
the authority that the people have dele
gated to thoroughly Differed and well
paid department of our government, he will
be very apt to 'get left every time when ii
comes to the PINCH" like Mr.. Fisk, of
| Carleton college. He will soon get "enough
of it."
| The author of the paper in question
should see that the fault is not Immediately
in the "apathy" of the people, but in the
cupidity of their executive representa-
tives. More remotely we can see
the Indifference of the people in
putting up with the rule OF
political tricksters and knaves. They are
sworn to serve the people by enforcing ex-
listing laws, but they do not do it, They
dishonor their oath, degrade their calling,
disgrace the state, and outrage justice and
common decency. The Indifference with
which the people submit to this violation
of plighted faith and the daily trespass OF
their rights is truly surprising. 1t has
been said that the American people are an
amiable people. Is this amiability? II
so it has ceased to be a virtue. 1t has
gone to seed and become vice. 1t is GER
tainly very great weakness.
Judge Burr said, 'another trouble is thai
reformers do not go to the polls and work
on election day. On the other hand all the
gamblers, thieves, whisky drinkers, and
pimps, do go there and work all day, elect
ing to Office men who will favor them, and
so far as possible, prevent the laws from
being enforced"
In many places it is undoubtedly true
reformers are not found at the polls as
they should be, but in Minneapolis they are
usually well represented; but they are Sc
largely in the minority that they fail to
elect their men; still the prospect for the
future looks brighter.
There are reasons still farther back thar
this. One is, the caucus is too much neg
lected by the people, leaving the primary
work to those inclined to work for selfish
ends. think that a just accusation can bt
brought against a large, very large, major
ity of voters in regard to this importan
duty of every citizen of a free country.
Another reason is, that the reformers are
divided, part being in the Prohibition
party, part in the Democratic party, ant
part in the Republican party. If they
were united they could do effective work
Omitted we stand, divided we fall"
1t is sad comment on the old partie
that the ''thieves, gamblers, whisky drink
ers and pimps," have never found it nee
essary to organize new party. The old