Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-03-19
POLITICAL EDUCATION.

Last week We spoke of political so
cieties, and advocated their formation
upon whatsoever political principles
might best suit those forming them. The
subject is one to be well considered by
every citizen of this Territory, for no
where is there less political education
than in Utah, and no where is there
greater need Of it. Political education in
the American States and Territories is as
essential as common school education.
The genius of government deriving its
powers from the people and act
ing through representatives everywhere
is, so to speak, new departure in govern
mental experiments. The Democracy of
Athens was in no respect like it, for there
the Democracy was thepower exercising
the power. The English Constitution is
our prototype, but we are so unlike it in
fundamental theories, which are but
badly understood, as to lead many to
think we are the same in a new dress
only. The English Constitution was the
growth of centuries, and its modiica-
tons are all made by time. The Ameri-
can CONSTITUTE on was created and fornlu-
lated by conventions, conventions whose
inspiration came from English institu-
tons as modified by colonial charters and
new surroundings. Inspiration also
came from France, and the ideas
of VOltaire, of Rousseau, of Did
erot and the encyclopedias found a
partial but practical expression in the
American Constitution, and it is changed
only by amendment. The English Consti-
tuition was founded upon the rights of
classes, while the American Constitution
was founded on the rights of man. King
John signing the Magma Corta at Run
neymede was King John recognizing
the rights of the barons and
the existence of the Feudal system;
while the refusal of John Hampden to
pay his eighteen shillings, and thereby
plunging the nation into civil war, was
the middle class asserting its rights and
privileges. William of Normandy, at SEN
lac, had asserted the rights of force and
the crown, while the attempts of Wilkes
and Bradlaugh to have the laboring
classes recognized have been but partial
in their success. The extension of the
county franchise has done much in this
direction, but more remains In England
the heconstitution was crown, ,aristocracy and |
middle classes, the stepping stone to aris-
tocracy. In France, up to the revolution,
it was crown, clergy and hierS etdt.
Since then it has been empire, restora-
tion, republics, cOups d etdt and anar-
chy. To-day it is the Republic with the
masses content, but with Communards |
threatening. In the United States it is
the General Government and the State
governments, with the people every
where in the ascendency.
These are preliminary studies for politi-
cal societies, and must be mastered. An
other thing thatmustbedone inUtah in ac-
quiring political education is to study the
source of our political power, the Organic
Act, and the manner in which we ac-
quired it. The Interpretation of the
Organic Act will be various, and to have it
remain various is a thing much to be
wished for. The recognition of the source
lead to its exploration and
in exploring the Constitution, it will be
found that the Supreme Court of the
United States is 10y the Constitution it.
self given the power and authority to
decide all questions arising under
it, and not the Deseret Eceninq
NetUs nor the Salt Lake Tribune.
Having learned this it will be well to
search the decisions of that court to find
whether the Constitution is being 'torn to
atters," and then ground to pulp to
print en- cdthedrd rulings on, and then
here will be no more, or not so much,
in Spain for that fact and find
ng evidence of it in earthquakes, at Ma
aga. Having escaped Scylla beware of
'harybdis, for while one would lead to
lysian fields, the other may cast you
N the "nights plutonian Shore" and
elf-styled patriots are not always safe
ilots, and under liberalism there
nay lurk ultra -Republicahism and
cense. IL .-- -.-t& E. -.f- "
Remember the end does not justify the
means, and that proper ends can always
e arrived at by proper means. Remem-
er that ours is a representative govern
lent, and that all powers of the govern q,
lent are derived from the consent YOU N
i've, and not the consent which is given !,
on. In forming societies for political L
iucution rely on yourselves, and recoHect a
vat any adcice from any source 10 rely on
mother is bad ddCice
DEcOT NEn