The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-30
DrBs AND THE .RoT.'


A long special dispatch to the Poss-In-
:srltgencer yesre-3sy from Milwaukee In
dicates that the Debs colonization scheme
as originally outlined has practically CO.
lspsea- The opposition TO ii. among
tie mere Intelligent OF the workingmen,
and. strange 10 saJ. among some leading
Socialists. was very decided. and in nc au-
thoritative quarter Is he receiving much
encouragement Whatever Its fate, -
va= one Of HIS avowed purposes IN COM
ing 30 Washington. TO take the rot oct
OF the constitution OF this state.
Until now the constitution has been
regarded with 3ustifable pride as one OF
the best fundamental laws ever framed by
an independent people. The citizens Of
this state are fairly intelligent. the dele
gates they selected 20 frame the constitu-
ton were as representative a body as
could be obtained for any similar gath
ering. and their work has been COM
nended by other z,ates as model Of
hberality. Few people read the consti-
tuition except when they are drawn 10 Ii
by some unusual question, but since Debs
has seen At 10 speak CONTEMPORARY OF
II as good enough for the present resi-
dents of the state, but not good enough
for his horde OF followers IL may not come
amiss TO remind the people OF some Of
its features.
The Fourth OF July is approaching, too.
and II viii do no harm 10 turn 10 the dec
laration Of our rights and ascertain
whether we are so doltish that we can
not draw up a constitution without Deos'
help. or vote inteliigentIy until We get the
aid Of Debs' army Of unemployed
The first declaration Is: "All political
power is inherent in the people, and gov
ernments derive their just powers from
the consent Of the governed. and are es-
tablished 10 protect and maintain indi-
vidual rights" Is this rot?
Every person may freely speak. write
and publish on all subjects, being re-
sponsble for the use OF that right" This
Is liberal enough for any man who wants
TO express opinions without defamation Of
individuals.
NO person shall be disturbed in his pri-
waite affairs or his home invaded. with
out authority of law" This is the fullest
cup of individual liberty ever offered to
man.
Justice in all cases shall be admins
tered openly and without unnecessary de-
lay" Is Debs afraid OF that 'rot?''
Absolute freedom of conscience IN all
matters of religious sentiment, belief and
worship shall be guaranteed to every In
dividuai." Could this be more broad?"
NO law shall be passed granting tc any
citizen class of citizens. or corporation
other than municipal. privileges or i'm
munities which. upon the same terms.
shall not equally belong to all citizens or
corporations"
"All elections shall be free and equal
/ and no power, civil or military. shall at
any time interfere to prevent the free
exercise OF the right Of suffrage"
Mr.. Debs has not yet indicates in what
respect he intends TO change our con-
I stitution, but We can scarcely imagine
nobler or more liberal charter of rights.
There are subordinate provisions direct
ing how the government shall be framed.
but In the eight years it has been in OPP
Grafton there has never been an objec-
. ton. save one, raised TO its provisions.
/ The only objection made TO the con-
! stitution is by those people who want 10
/ escape taxation entirely and place the
whole burden on their neighbors. These
i objcctors have TO rational ground for
their objections They would probably
call the single takers conascators Of prop
eriy. but they are themselves confsca-
tors Of the property Of others. They are
worse thaa the single TAKERS. because the
lA-ter mistaken though they may be in
ther views. honestly believe that q tax
GA land would be tax on everybody. only
that the lax would be more equitably
apportoned The exemption.sts do not
pretend that hy exemption taxation viii
oe equitaoly apportloned They know.
and do 30, deny that the effect Of it would
be SO make tie tax higher on L,exempt
. property. and 10 relieve themselves en-
trcly
There S. fault IN the constitution. u
goes more into detail than IS quite neces-
sary In an organic Law. bat it has never
been objected to On tie score az being an
wise or restrictive % the fullest liberty
&C. the people.