Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1886-12-24
SEcDY orr GOVERNMENT.
b HOY. L. F. Lane.

Ii it is true that the greatest study
of mankind is man it is also true that
the greatest study for man is how te
govern himself. Political science and
fine spun theories of government are
good enough in their way; Utopia and
New Antlantls are very charming
dreams fer the diciples Of Moore and
Bacon but in this Republic where all
power emanate from the people the
lessons of government should be a
practical every day study. 1t is q
matter that directly concerns then
and they should consider the subject
as one of important business. Our
plan of government is simple in form
so simple that a child should compre
hendit. Cali powers not delegated
to The United States by the constitu
tion nor prohibited by it to the states
are reserved to the states respectively
or to the people" and ''the enumera
ton in the constitution of certain
rights, shall not be construed to deny
or dispaage others retained 10y the
people. These are constitutional
rights and are referred to now only to
remind our readers of the vast powers
that rest absolutely undisturbed and
unimpaired with che people and to i'm
press the Importance of wisdom and
prudence in exercising them. In view
of the simplicity and liberality of our
polity it seems strange that we should
be environed by dangers peculiar to
monarchies and despotisms. The form
alton Of secret labor leagues, the ap-
parent antagonism between labor and
capital, the presence in our midst OF
communistic and socialistic organiza-
tions bode no good for the future.
That these do exist is plainly the fault
of the people, 1t is their fault that
corporations have been fostered; have
grown rich and are domineering; it is
their fault that too much of our public
domain has been given away without
consideration. In short, it is their
fault that we have wasted our patri
mony and that the winter of our discon
tent has come without provision for 8
cheering warmth and that there is a
gloomy outlook There is no use de
nying it; there has not been time
hour or moment that the people could
not have ordered halt They have
nobody but themselves to blame that
they may have selected demagogues and
scoundrels to be their agents. They
did it all in calm, cool blood and in con
science and law are bound to ratify
their deings No vested right SO long
as the principal looked on and tacitly
acquiesced can be disturbed. The
faith of every honorable man is pledged
to protect those rights. In all its hid
eous deformity stands the work Of the
past. We cannot disturb it but we car
and must manage the present and con-
troll the future. The people can de
mand that hereafter no large landed
estates shall be created, nor an acrt
given away except for homes to citizens
under existing laws. 1t has been q
common boast that the increase of ou
population has been marvellous. The
fourth of July orator that makes thai
boast is fool and just fitted forgushin!
occasions. The father that boasts oil
the birth to him of child when tn
rest of his children are starving is
brute or has not sense enough t.
comprehend what constitutes murder
much less his responsibilities to society
We have also boasted that this is th