San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-04-02
FRIDAY, APRIL 2. 1886.
CENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT.

CENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT.
The wisdom Of nations, rs of individ-
uals, is the result of observation and eX-
perience. 1t only comes in its fullest
measure, as the last analysis OF those
facts which are placed before it as the
basis of reasoning out OF which the
wise conclusion must be drawn. 1t is,
therefore, OF the first Importance that a
clear and exhaustive view should be
taken, by the responsible leaders Of
national opinion, Of those occurrences,
past and present, which illustrate the
tendency of certain causes to produce
certain results; and which also reveal
their bearing upon the public veal or
woe. A national policy, to be shaped
wisely, will be shaped with direct refer
ence to an avoiding of all measures that
have not been approved by the results
that have followed the introduction Of
similar measures elsewhere. In thus
shaping the destinies of a nation, the
differences in the spirit, genius, temper
and form Of those governments whose
acts are taken as illustrations of the
wisdom or unwisdom Of certain policies,
must be taken into consideration as con-
trasted with the government whose
policy is to be shaped in the light Of the
knowledge thus derived.
If these obvious truths were duly con-
sidered we would hear less about CEN
tralized government in these United
States. There can be no such thing as
centralized, or arbitrary, government
without dethrOning the liberty Of the
citizen. As this is not government Of
subjects by kingly authority, but OF Cit-
zens by citizens temporarily entrusted
with the management of national affairs,
and the execution OF law, and the per
Torrance of governmental functions, it
necessarily follows that no illustrations
Of governmental results, drawn from
mOnarchiCal experiences and workings,
are of value to us save such as bear upon
the moral rather than upon the material
forces of nations. Under this head of
moral force we group all facts relating
to the government of the people by the
moral force of their own natures, rather
than by the material forces of armies
and police. Judged thus, every attemp-
ted riot, every disturbance Of the gen.
eral peace. but illustrates the wisdom Of
committing the government of people
to the care and loyalty of the people
rather than to the defense Of the mill
tary arm and the Intervention ofan ire
spOnsible police.
The riots in Belgium and the late
strike In this country are apt illustra-
tions Of the differences resulting from
the two methods Of government. The
results conclusively prove that a CEN
tralized government is pitiably weak in
comparison with peoples government.
The little riot in small European king
dom cost scores of lives to suppress it;
the strike in this country, which has
month and crippled the industries of a
territory as large as all Central Europe,
ends without bloedshed. The Belgian
riot leaves fostering sore in the heart
OF the people. The American strike
breeds strong purpose to secure the
passage of such laws as will forever leg
islate out of existence any necessity fol
strikes. The European riot leaves the
rioters more determined than ever tC
overthrow the hated Capitalization Of
power by which they suffer. The Amer
lean strike leaves only consciousness o
legislative work to be done. Had the
strong arm of an irresponsible military
force been invoked to put down thi
strike the streets Of our Western citiei
would have run blood. To our credit
be it said, not human life has been sac
rifced.