The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-04-24

"
more about the building Of bridges than
the hard.fsted sons of toll, who-fgur
ativcly speaking-follow the pillow, and
industriously work-with their jaws
There are two points which I would
impress upon you this evening.
lst-That this problem Of better
roads must be solved by your local
authorities, assisted by the supervision
of competent State Engineer.
2nd-That your local authorities
will never solve the problem satisfac-
torily until there is an enlightened and
positive opinion upon the subject which
shall be iusis.ent enough to put its in
telligept representatives into your local
government.
We are too apt to forget, in propos.
ing Legislative remedies, that the Wig
orous maintenance of our local institu.
tions is the very groundwork of Anglo
Saxon liberty, and the first condition
of good administration.
The eminent historian Freeman be-
gins his volume on the Growth of the
English Constitution" with a descrip-
ton Of the annual Election iu {. Uri,'
one of the Cantons of Switzerland,
which he witnessed, and which he says
contains the germs out of which every
free Constitution in the world has
grown.
'Lct me ask you to follow IN spirit
to the very home and birth place Of
freedom, to the land where we need
not myth and fable to add aught TO the
fresh and gladdening feeling with
which we for the first time tread the
soil and drink in thu air of the i'm
memorial democracy Of Uri.
."The people follow the chiefs whom
they have chosen to the place Of meet
ing, circle in a green meadow. with q
pine forest rising above their heads, and
mighty spur Of mountain range fac
ing them on the other side Of the val
ley. The multitude of freelnen take
their seats around the Chief ruler
Of Commonwealth whose term Of office
comes that day to an end.
"'rhe Assembly opens short space
is first given to prayer, silent prayer
offered up by each man in the temple
of Gods own rearing. Then comes
the business Of the day.
eff changes in the law are demanded
they are laid before the vote of the
Assembly, in which each citizen has an
equal vote and an equal right of speech.
The yearly Magistrates have now dis
charged all their duties. Their term oil
office is at an end. The trust which
has been placed in their hands falls
back into the hands of those by whom
it was given. into the hands of the
Sovereign people.
THE Minister CT Kings, whether
despotic or constitutional, may vainly
envy the sure tenure of office which
falls to the lot Of those who are chosen
to rule by the voice of the people
Alike in the whole Confederation and
in the single Canton, re election is the
rule. The rejection OF the out going
Magistrate is the rare exception.
"The Landammaun Of Uri, whom his
countrymen have raised to the seat oil
honor, and who has done nothing to
lose their confidence, need not fear
that, when he has gone to the place OF
meeting in he pomp of office. his place
10 the march homeward will be trans
ferred to another against his will"
Here then is the primeval model OIL
our free institutions, whose outward
forms have necessarily passed away
from greater States, but whose spirit
must be preserved in all lands where
freedom dwells.
Appropriate legislation by the State
can accomplish much, and our people
should always be careful to select Tor
Legislators men who have both the
ability and disposition to serve their
best interests, both State and local.
But the true solution of the road
problem and kindred questions depends
after all upou the active interest and
participation Of the citizen in the affairs
Of his local government.
This is just as important now as when
every freeman of England could raise
his voice or clash his weapon in the
local assembly which chose his rulers
and made his laws.
Our Grange and Farmers Clubs
could be useful instru nents in the
agitation of the question by awakening
the general interest, and in gathering
and diffusing sound information.
Voluntary Associations of citizens
imbucd with public spirit and the
earnest desire to better our condition,
could lend helping hand.
No better work could be done by the
local press than constant discussion Of
this subject. Anything is better than
the nresent Indifference and lack nj