The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-06-14

| have an impression that it has been
in the habit of doing this thing for Il
considerable number Of people from
the very beginning, and that the Sen
ator from Massachusetts has accepted
employment from its hands for con-
siderable period of time. Perhaps the
venerable senator has forgotten what
government means in this country.
II he has | venture to assert that his
memory will be all right when the
season for securing election arrives.
He will then remember and humbly
confess that he and all his associates
in official positions. are nothing more
than the servants of the people, elect
Ell or chosen by them to do in certain
specified particulars their clearly ex-
pressed will. and to exercise their best
judgment IN all matters left to their
discretion. 1t was clearly not the in
tent Of the people OF this country in
ratifying the constitution. when sub
nitted for their approval or rejection
to curtail in any way their sovereign
power. within the limits of right and
Justice Their one object in estab-
fishing the plant or machinery Of gov
ernmeEt, was to provide an agency
through which they might act at will,
prompt; and effectively, for the fur
'herance OF justice. the promotion Of
the common welfare. and the securing
OF the blessings Of liberty to them
selves and their poS:crity. Whatever
therefore may bc 1eedful to these
ends is within the scope and purvicw
Of the constitution. The machinery
Of the government must not be con-
founded with the government itself.
Government in this country, is, in
| theory at least, not only of the pco-
pie. 1t is also by the people and for
the people. Presidents, cabinet olli
GERS, senators and representatives, rs
we'll as their suburuinates are all EN-
| ployccs Of the government. and re-
ceiVe their salaries for services sup
posed to be rendered. Ii they forge:
this fact, and fal! Into the error of
supposing that they constitute the
government and that the people are
their subjects; th;: the office exists
for their benefit, and its honors fol
their glory, they are unworthy ser
wants. snd fit only for the outer dark
ness where there is weeping and wall
ing and gnashing Of teeth.
Ii Senator Hoar means that con.
gress has no right to engage in class
Legislation, or to expend public
funds for private benefit, or to turn
itself into an clcelnosynarv institution,
we are heartily with him, but in that
case we should like to have him help
in undoing 4 great deal Of Legislation
against which | have never heard of
his entering protest. But if he
means that the government has nc
righ. to undertake any work whic!
the people may desire Of public al
vantage, and which in their ju'iymen,
can best be done under its direct
supervision, beg leave to differ
| 1t not only has the right. 1t con
tinually exercises this right without
question or opposition. 1t keeps All
army and navy in constant existance,
though not in employment. though
professcu regard for their common
safety. 1t dosen't emploS these
people fol their own sake, i. G., in
order to provide them a living. But
it employees them to perform sup
posed public service. 1t employs
4 much larger army for the same
reason in harding, carrying, and
1 distribution the correspondence, news
papers. periodicals., and to large
and growing extent the merchandise
Of the country.
| In regard to Mr.. Coxeys move
ment the distinguished preacher said
that the theory Of internal improve
ments was especially recognized in
the constitution of the United States: