Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1892-01-28

Aud SO viewed, what has the law under
taken 10 accomplish
II has converted into fragrant crimes, acts
that vast majority Of the hest people OF the
whole civilized world regard ms Innocent
II has required for It's enforcement the In
Fiction Of penalties that, compared with the
acts for which they ARE Imposed, would shock
the conscience of the most barbarous ruler on
the globe.
II has Invaded the domain of the most
sacred Of personal rights, and destroyed with
out mercy every form of individual property
Il at stood In the way of its enforcement
II has catered the home of every citizen of
the state, Nude itself the guardian OF his
actions aud dictated his conduct In matters
strictly personal 70 himself, and for which he
should he responsible 10 his Maker alone; for
II enforced, there would not be In all this
state one single place where any man or
woman could purchase Tor use MS beverage
one drop of intoxicating liquor OF any name
or kind,
II has proved an obstacle TO the material
progress OF Iowa of such magnitude that to-
day with n state the peer OF any OF her sisters,
with her resources but half developed, we are
compelled 10 witness n more rapid advance
mcnt than our own In the population OF every
state that adlolns us on either side,
II has thus FAR failed because, from every
busIncss standpoint NJ least, It's enactment In
those whose property Il destroyed, because
II inliots oruci aud inhtman penalties for
many acts that neither the Judgment nor the
consclcnccs OF mcn condemn As wrong, aud
because II IL In conflict With the natural right
Of all men TO control their own conduct in
their own way SO long as they do nothing to
invade the rights OF others,
We have reached n crisis In this matter that
can no longer be avoided The people of Iowa
must be allowed 90 Know what their public
servants propose to do.
They cannot and they ought not 20 longer
submit 10 prescnt conditions.
Twice In succession IN the only manner
known TO our Institutions by which IN cS-
preston Of the public will can be obtained,
they have declared In favor OF u modification
Of this law
In each instance the issue ON which they
passed Judgment was clearly defined aud per.
fcctly understood.
In their sovereign capacity they have
spoken In no uncertain tones,
| am unable to see how any branch Of the
law making power rau rightlully disregard
their demand.
II we yield to II our duty Ia plain. We viii
not deprive any locality In Iowa where public
sentiment upholds II of our present. prOhihs
tory law, or It's equivalent, nor will we compel
others where pu5lie sentiment IL opposed TO IL
20 live under IT,
In this compromise, honorable 20 all partics
and IN lust 10 none, our people viii, Ms ] be-
llcyc, find peace upon this troublesome qucs.
ton.
May we not welcome such n result as the
harbingcr OF better days, OF n broader charity
for the opinions OF each other, and n more
liberal comprehension Of the relative rights Of
the units If population that together make up
the grand state We possesst
BALLOT REFORM,
In each of the lpsu two elections In Iowa at
which members OF the legislature were chosen,
majority of the electors thereof have de.
cared IN favor OF the Australian system OF
voting,
That some form Of secret ballot WIN aid In
the preservation Of our institutions | am
llrmy convinced
The means That nro often rcsortcd To 10
control the ballots of electors IN the Interests
of political parties are reprehensibc beyond
any power Of language TO express
II there Is one duty more clearly dclcnt
than all others which every citizen of sufficient
Intelligence 10 exercise The elective franchise
owes his state, II Is that which requires Of HIN
that he weigh with unbiased care the political
Issues his vote must help determine aud con
sclentously form his own opinion MS TO how IL
should be settled, and then cast his ballot IN
accord with his own deliberate Judgment
This Is the theory upon which our form OF
faithfully followed there Is not the slightest
danger 10 our institutions Ia the future,
The ma jOrity, II left 10 settle political qucs-
tiOhs uniniluenccd except by legitimate argu-
mcnt as to the correctness OF principles ndvo-
Gated, viii always settle them right In the end,
II seems incredible that men who claim 10
be good citizens can desire 10 rob the state OF
that which is so essential 10 It's welfare, the
unbiased Judgment OF every one who aids In
the least degree In shaping It's affairs.
But what are the facts.
Not an election is held that men who ought
TO realize the danger Of the work they are do.
Ing, do not rush Into the political arena and In
one form or another use nl the political In
iluencc they possess 10 prevent electors from
expressing by their ballots their own dellbcr'
atc convictions.
II has become matter or almost insur-
nOunlable dread for men to change from one
pOlit cal party a. another, no matter what they
think Of their duty In TINT respect, for they
know a hundred malicious tongues will mis-
represent their motives the moment IL Is
known.
This wicked and dangerous and deporatlc
disposition Is no longer confined 10 n single
class, but II bas invaded every walk and call.
Ing Of life and contaminated the conEcicnCes
Of men otherwise worthy, ttntil they seem In
capable Of comprchcndlng the cnorinty OF the
crime they nre committing against every form
VI government that derives It's power from n
free people
1tat purity that first grapplcs with this hid
rous monster Of political intolerance and robs
II Of It's power 10 influence elections by the
people, will deserve and receive the plaudlts
Of thoughtful men IN every part Of the world,
and viii clothe the political institutions Of
this country with mn armor that no enemy eau
penetrate and no time destroy,
But rs sure ms we exist II this Is omitted
aud the disposition and ability 10 control the
ballots Of men irrespective Of the judgment OF
those who east them continues 20 grow la the
future rs II has done In the recent past, II Is n
question Of time alone when the splendid edl-
lice our fathers planned viii be undermined
and the government We enjoy to-day will be
known only as part Of the history Of the
past.
CORPORATIONS.
The aggregation OF vast capital under
single management Is Internationally n source
OF danger to the well being Of the masses, un-
less controlled by judlclous legislation.
In considering methods for the formation
and government Of incorporated bodies, ex'
tremcs IN all directions should be avoided.
Too much care however cannot he used In
combining these artificial beings TO the lcgiti-
iiiate exercise Of the powers conferred upon
thcn and In restricting to the limit OF lcgis-
latlye ability the opportunities which wealth
always furnishes those Who control 10, 10 prey
upon the necessities Of the weaker cassesIof
society
Every right which corporation possesses
10 the voluntary gift OF the state Every
power II can use for good or for evil Is derived
directly from the people through the law
making power Of the commonwealth under
whose statutes II IL organized.
II Is folly, therefore, 10 assert that these
bodies are not In Il broad sense OF the terms,
amenable to the laws that give them birth, or
that they are not subject In all things to tho
reasonable control Of those through whose
bounty they have come into existence
They do not stand upon the same footing
with individuals.
They are possessed of no natural rights,
and they owe allegiance to no natural laws.
In this state VIC have passed all questions OF
dispute on this point, and settled In the ar
flrmatlve the proposition that the power that
creates nm artificial person may in all things
exercise over its actions a reasonable and Just
control.
But IN settling this we have simply reached
the question OF greatest difficulty, which is
found In the effort To discover In all cases pre-
cisely what is just TO the people on one side
and the corporations on the Other.
In no field Of legislative action Is the law
maker confronted with greater difficulties or
brought In contact with convictions more sin
cere or more conflicting than those that con-
front him while endeayoriug TO regulate by
law the relative rights Of those who furnish
the immense capital invested by corporations