Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1888-09-29
THE PEOPLE KNOW now TO
GOVERN THEMsELvRs

Win the Neohhees Auu sbttnkbh "a ONhCA
forms Of government profitable task.
To a man who looks with his eyes but
not with his brains the political hubbub
seems chaotic and revolutionary. Two
great parties evenly matched are playing
a shrewd game for the innings. Epithets,
innuendoes, cartoons, arguments, all the
weapon Of a campaign are being Piled
by expert hands and tongues. Even the
Representatives and grave Senators In
Congress are using the machinery OF leg
i~slation to influence aGd iniame public
opinion. Picked orators who can play
on popular feeling and prejudice as a mu-
stefan on a flute, are let loose all over
the country. Resolutions, platforms,
statistics fill the air, like the arrows in
old Saxon days, until the sun is dsrkened.
But it is like a storm at sea-on the
surface white caps and bowling winds;
down deep in the undisturbed calm OF
rugged patriotism and abiding loyalty to
the principles of popular sovereignty
Ours is the most conservative, cautious,
prudent government in the world, and
therefore the most stable and the strong
est. A monarchy-Germany, for instance
i'm which the Throne lone mani may in
an emergency decide the policy Of the
nation, is like a book standing on its
edge which a puff may blow over. A re-
public in which the people decide every
thing is like the same book fiat on its side.
When a hundred years ago W. broke
away from the mother country and began
the experiment Of government by the
whole people, the best statesmen OF Eu-
rope were alarmed for our safety. Some
ridiculed, some sneered and some pitied.
1t was openly declared that we had at
tempted the impossible, and openly pre-
dicted that we couldn't stand the strain
and would go to pieces in a few genera
tions.
Well, a century has passed-time
enough to afford a test-and we have
gone through three wars, one with a mil
lion graves in its rear-the sharpest, bit
terest, ~fiercest contest Of modern history
and through more than twenty Presi-
Dental elections, some Of whicn have
shaken US like an earthquake, and how
have we borne the brunt Of circumstsnces'
Tho truth is we are in a much safer
political position than England. Wehave
moro elements of security and insurance.
For example, we have various methods
OF checking rash measures. The House
of Representatives If it should 90 wild
could be brought up all standing by the
Senate. The President holds the veto
power and can compel them both to think
q second time before they finally decide,
and the Supreme Court-the most pow
erful and conservative body Of men on the
planet-stands between an unconstitu.
tional law aid its oppressive operation.
These offset each other, render passionate
and revolutionary enactments almost i'm.
possible, and recall the people to their
alIeblanCe anu COInuOH SeHSSs
England is not thus favored. It's des-
TIMES are controlled by one body OF men,
the restraints on whose action are very
slight. The House Of Commons can do
as it pleases and is responsible only to
the popular impulse of the hour. The
Throne has ceased to WELD the veto. 1t
Is servant, not master. 1t does not com
mand, it obeys and dares not resist. 1t
is hardly better than a historical remin.
i~scence. 1t rests in the prejudice of the
people. They like the pomp of royalty,
the gorgeous paraphernalia of office, and
are willing to be taxed for their support.
But the Throne is practically powerless
and helpless, for in a conflict with the
Commons it surrenders and its Ministry
resigns.
The House Of Lords is hardly more
than a costly collection of ancestral bric-
a.brac. Resistance to the people is a thing
of the past. A feeble If not impotent
protest is its largest indulgence. and it
constantly acquiesces In measures which
it cannot approve. The Commons repre-.
sents the masses, is master OF the situa.
tion-the dictator in Great Britain.
The people Of America have not only
been successful in their experiment, but
they have thereby increased the republic
can tendency in other nations. The pop
ulace in Europe is claiming more and re-
oeiving more every year. Three times
since 1892 England has been forced to
widen the limits of suffrage, and every
monarch on the Continent sees and fears
the powerful tendency toward popular
sovereignty.
A campaign like ours is q national edu.
cation. The hot temper counts for moth
ing, the blazing rhetoric, the denuncia-
tions, the fierce frenzy of Forakers and
Fairchilds are a ripple on the surface.
When you get down deeper you find the
brains of the people. They know what
their own interests require-the farmer
of Wisconsin, the manufacturer Of New
England, the mill owner of the South
and what they want will be represented
by the next President. After November
the storm will be over, and w shall get
back into our routine refreshed and invig.
Grated.
..- L.ua. ... ..A - Tbsaf