Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-25
THE PERMANENCE OF THE REPUBLIC


On another page to-day will be found the
views of eminent and representative men on
the durability of our republican institu-
tions, the perlls which may weaken or de-
stroy them, and the possibility of foreign
control by the purchase of territory or OF
industrial enterprises by foreien n millionaires
or syndicates. The widest variety of opinion
is expressed, from Mr.. Powderly's open as
sertion that pure republican government
cannot last if power is permitted to drift
into the hands of plutocratic and monop-
olistic organizations, to the optimistic views
of the eminent Senators, who cannot see but
that every political prospect pleases and all
laws are enacted and administered by the
people and for the people.
General Sherman's sarcastic reference OF
the decision of the subject to the newspaper
editors makes it pertinent to say that, while
the optimistic view is the most correct in its
forecast, the pessimistic view recognizes
most clearly the exciting situation. While
this may be parado1ical, it may be
explained by stating it conversely. The
optimists do not sufficiently recognize
the perils involved in the pending
problems; while the pessimists do not place
sufficient faith in the corrective force in
herent in country where the power rests
with the people to be determined by intelli-
gent discussion. The periis which thinkers
like Mr.. Powderly and Bishop Potter per-
ceiye are not more incongruous with and
destructive of free government than the
system of human slavery which prevailed
for more than three-quarters of the first
century of the republic. They can be re-
formed without any such expenditure of
bloodshed or treasure as that evil entafled.
A nation which has triumphed in the first
ordeal can certainly cherish firm faith in
its ability to solve the problems presented by
the growth of monopolies and plutocratic
fortunes.
But the frmest adherents to this faith
should recognise that these evils can only be
guarded against when there is a clear per-
ception of the presence and the incident
danger. The note of alarm sounded by Mr..
Powderly in such plain language is
more pertinent and intelligent than
the optimistic disposition to regard
everything as all right 1t is true,
as Mr.. Powderly declares, that there
are features of development to-day which
are absolutely inconsistent with the perma.
nence of popular institutions. 1t is even
true that some prevailing practices are to-
day ignoring and nullifying the principles
OF constitutional free government. If these
are not reformed the inevitable result will
be ruin to republican institutions; and that
they may be reformed it is necessary that
the perception of them shall be widespread
and distinct.
To that end it is well to give the peril
wider and more inclusive definition than
any of the gentlemen whose views are
quoted elsewhere. All the abuses which
threaten our democratic organization arise
from the failure to maintain intact the letter
and spirit of the constitutional enactments
on which our popular liberties are founded.
This evil permits alike the whole range of
corporate abuses, the prsctices of partisan
aggression, and the corruption and indiffer-
ence of the voting masses. Only two illus
trations are needed to show how far this null
LITIGATION of the constitutional standards
has already gone. The keystone of our politi-
cal system is legislation by representatives
whom the people shall choose; yet the coun-
try is famil lar with the spectacle of control
ling legislative bodies by deciding contested
elections not in accordance with the testi-
mony as to who was honestly elected by the
people, but in accordance with party die
tates. Nothing is more essential to demo-
cratic society than the control of all its ele-
ments by constitutional law; yet the spec
tacle has long been presented in this State of
great corporations who hold themselves
superior to the Constitution, and Governor