The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-04-26
Friday. April &c, 1895
"FOr the Candid"


after its adoption, two more were adopted
in the earlier years of the republic, and
the last three were the outcome of the
late war. 1t is almost an utter impossible
ity at the present time to amend the
Constitution. As proof of this statement
we ask careful reading of the following,
which is Article V of the Constitution
itself, which provides for such amend
ments:
The Congress, whenever two-thirds of
both houses shall deem it necessary, shall
propose amendments to this Constitution,
or, on the application of the legislatures
call convention for proposing amend
ments, which, i'll either case shall be
valid to all intents and purposes, as part
of this Constitution, when ratified by the
legislatures of three fourths thereof, as
the one or the other mode of ratification
may be proposed by the Congress.
Imagine the time and labor necessary
to educate the people upon the most plain
propositions sufficiently to carry out the
provisions of this article. Surely no
candid person can analyze this provision
of the Constitution without arriving at the
conclusion that it is far easier to talk
about changing the Constitution than to
do it. We would also ask our readers to
consider we'll as to what reforms now
demanded fall within the limits of this
charter. Does the single tax, the referen
dunn, the proportional representation. the
government ownership of mines, factories,
and farms? Does the tenth plank of
socialism come within its powers? Not
single one of these can become law as
waste of time to advocate these alleged
reforms? What possible end will such
propaganda serve, save only that of
making few individuals conspicuous for
their futile efforts. The time has come to
look matters squarely i'll the face, and
above all things to be practical"
The most of these at present nationally
unconstitutional measures could readily
be engrafted into legislation of the States,
and this is a most potent reason for a
propaganda embracing them.
The Peoples party has nothing to do
with the tenth plank of the Social Labor
party.
In our judgment the Watclman's pre-
sentation is very strong argument in
favor of broad, in place of a narrow
propaganda which the writer endeavors
to demonstrate. Fifteen amendments
have been made to the Constitution, the
strongest evidence that the instrument is
far from infallible Conditions have been
completely changed in the economy of
society and the State, and in fact of the
entire world, since the Constitution was
adopted, and the greater part of this
change in our economic conditions has
taken place since the last article was
added to the Constitution Since then
the government of the United States has
been changed from a democracy to a
plutocracy, dominated by corporations,
and is no longer government of the
people. This has been accomplished in
large degree by bribery of legislatures,
congress and selected judiciary whose
decisions would construe the constitution
in favor of aggregated capital and against
the rights of the citizen.
This has created crying necessity for
propaganda that will enlighten the
public on the danger which threatens to
overthrow their liberties and the measures
which should become laws in order to
avert the approaching calamity already
in sight.
The great difficulty in the way of
amending the Constitution pointed out by
the Watchman is the usurped power
which the plutocratic class is now WELD
ing. 1t is of the most imperative neces-
sity that this condition of affairs should
be taught the people, that they may,
comprehending clearly the danger, know
and feel the overshadowing necessity for
important fundamental changes, and such
changes will be made. A broad propa-
ganda which will thoroughly inform them
on these vital measures will tend to unity
the various groups of the reform move.
ment, each having i'll view but single
reform that is needed and oblivious to all
others.
A contracted propaganda i'll our judg-
ment is the most dangerous step the
Peoples party could take, if not abso-
lutely fatal. The attempt in this direc-
ton is the prime cause of the recent
trouble. To claim to be advocating the
Omaha platform in its entirety, but never
saying word for any but one plank in it
is ignoring all the rest, promising to the
ear and breaking it to the hope.
The present reform movement is unlike
any other movement i'll our history, can
not be compared with any other, and the
claim set up for that reason, that but one
issue shonld be discussed, is not valid.
Man is a tangled skein and if mistake is
made in reeling him with the object of
forming solid mass, the grand design is
frustrated. If finance is ding donged
into his ears for few years and he hears
nothing else he will become nauseated
with it as he did with the tariff. The
shylocks have taken the alarm, and were
quick to discover that the masses were
becoming tired of the gold" money