Evening star., 1886-11-10

HE BELIEVES PUBLIC SAFETY DEMANDS An
INCREASE OF STATE POWERS.
Gen. John B. Gordon was sworn la as governor
ot Georgia yesterday. Gen. Gordons inaugural
address, which was an appeal for states rights
agitation, is looked upon at Atlanta as Q plat
orm Tor future campaigns. He said in part:
FOR defense against the outside world our
nation Is simply omnipotent. There is no room
Ior apprehension that the general government
wiii ever lose its constitutional vigor or power
oi seli-preservation. The danger is that the
states may lose theirs by gradual accretions 10
federal power and imperceptibie absorption of
state functions The momentons events OF our
recent history have served to dwarf in the esti-
matlon of the people, the importance OF the
states. IL Is the transparent purpose of certain
leaders OF public opinion to curtaii the leylti.
mate congressional representation OF some of
the states upon the unjust and untruthtui
assumption that large bodies OF citizens are
oeoarred the right and freedom OF the elective
franchise. But an Infinitely greater danger TO
our future Is yet to be mentioned, The greatest
Oh all dangers turks ia the silent but certain
CROWN OF sentiment for stronger central gov
ernment. 1t Is sentiment which not only
aeq qu,esces In the diminution of state powers,
Iut demands stronger aud yet stronger gov.
ernment at Washington In proportion To our
material advancement
There are those who hear me whose children
VIII see thas great country with perhaps half q
hundred states and two hundred millions of
people. Upon Its vast domain. densely popu-
lated, VIII spring multiplied industries, with
diverse claims and conflicting interests Tue
faclhc states, the Atlantic states the gulf
states, the middle states, the eastern states
and the great west will demand through their
respective representatives. and with Increased
earnestness, legislation at Washington friendly
70 their respective interests and consonant
economic and class problems will press for
solution with restless urgency. The great
problem or our future is to secure stability
amid new and great perils and yet save liberty.
Two roads are open, one toward central zation
the other toward local. adjustments The one
or the other will be CHOSEN by the people, and
Let 1t be admitted that the plan of increased
central power at Washington would give stable
public order. But let il also be remembered
that these are less than half the blessings PROM
ised by the founders OF this republic. Stability
Is essential, but stability through progressive
accretions 10 federal power must end at last in
absolutism or Capitalization. Stability thus
secured Is the death OF our duplex system. 1t rs
the destruction oi state independence. Ii is the
doom of Tree government IN America There is
one way, and one way only, TO secure in our
momentous future both stability and liberty.
1hat way - 10 depend, as perils increase, more
and more upon the states and to trust more to
local adjustment Our greatest safety, progress
permanence aud freedom lie In the direction OF
enlarged local administration. The lreest gov.
ernment Is that which is most controlled by ho-
mogeueous communities, and the strongest gov
erument Tor a country like ours is that which
devolves upon states the largest responsibilities
As population becomes dense, as industries
multiply, as interests conflict, as creeds clash
and the oiscord OF jarring theories increases over
this wideiy-extenoed country, the more and
more difficult will become the problem OF gov.
eminent through central administration at
washington, aid the greater Will be the neces-
sily for intfusting to the states all questions
with which they may constitutionally deal
SUCH policy US L have sought TO indicate
would make stronger instead of weaker the gen.
eral government in the confidence and affections
OF the people. Ii would aid the solution OF
problems which the general government can
never solve to the satisfaction OF communities
with conflicting interests. IL would make Sc
cure forever the rights OF the smaller and weaker
states. 1t would make Rhode Island as secure
as Texas, Connecticut as Ohio, Florida as New
York.