St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-11
ON THE REEFS.

Two recent decisions rendered by the
supreme court of the United States
show how rapidly we are drifting to
ward the form of Il consolidated govern
ment. One was in the NAGI.E case,
which practically denies to state the
exercise of police power in matter
concerning q federal official; and the
other is the Iowa prohibition case,
which virtually declares state lines to
be fiction so far as trade is concerned.
There has been no great cutlery against
either of these decisions, although, when
viewed III the light Of supreme court de-
ciSions less than a quarter of century
ago. they are seen to be thoroughly rev.
OlutiOnarv in their scope and effect. 1t
SO happened that in both cases the cir
cumstances surrounding each case in a
measure prepared the public mind to be
satisfied with tine rulings Of the court
without awakening the desire or dispo-
sition to investigate what effect these
decisions would have III future years
when they came to be quoted as prece-
dents. Thus it is the nation is almost
unconsciOusly drifting toward the shoals
of consolidation without any one on
deck or OD shore to hoist the danger sig
nal
TO the thoughtful person who OBJ
serves the signs of the times, it is APP
parent that the tendency toward ma
tional consolidation is also following in
the line of nationalism. This is not in
territorial Oh the part of the pilots who
are guiding the ship of state towards
consolidation, but it will be found later
on to be unavoidable. Capital con-
trolled by trusts and SyndicateS is seek
ing control under the form OF a central
lied government. 1t is impressed with
the idea the power originally lodged in
the state governments by the constitu-
ton is a menace to capital and re-
striction upon its operations. Hence
the anxiety to weld our institutions into
a centralized frame, which can be more
readily controlled 10y those who have
the direction of aggregated capital.
In doing this, however, the per-
sons interested in centralizing the
powers of the government in pro-
lection of capital overlook the fact
that there is another movement in prog
ress tending toward the same goal, but
with very different purpose in view.
NatiOnalism, which includes the various
forms of socialism and agrarianiSm,
also advocates Capitalization, but not in
protection of capital. Thus both forces
are moving in the same direction,
but with antagonistic aims; and while
they may Jointly accomplish complete
revolution of our republican forms,
they will precipitate a conflict in the
end that will be as bitter as it is likely
to be bloody.
How much safer it would be for the
country if our highest judicial tribunal
should return to the old standards of
constitutional Interpretation. How
much better it would be to erect the
old traditions as bulwark against the
aggressi0ns of nationalism on the one
side and of corporation power on the
other, both seeking to tear away the
foundations of the republic, and then
to inaugurate an irrepressible conflict
as to what the style of the new edifce
shall be.
The old moorings are always the
safest, and how the thoughtful and
conservative portion of the republic
long to have the supreme court take
us back to them.