The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-04-07
anaerspa gnfelIIaeHeer,
Too Much Government.

whereby tersely to convey the idea
that government is constantly and un-
necessarily encroaching upon iDdi-
vidual liberty. In that sense the
phrase supplies public need. Some
such epigram was required to be in
vented to appropriately express the
popular thought Upon a subject which
is causing so much public unrest.
The liberal minded and thoughtful
citizen views with anxiety the increas-
ing demand for Legislative restrictions
upon individual action, which is
everywhere being pressed by the de-
votees of fanaticism and paternalism
with zeal worthy of a better cause.
There seems to be a mania among
modern lawmakers for the abnormal
increase of statutes. This tendency
is not confined to desire for unjust
or illiberal legislation, but extends to
legislation Of every sort and character.
a bare glance at the recent session
laws of New York confirms this state
ment, for the bulky volumes are filled
with crude, illy-digested and undesira-
Bile statutes, one-half of which, it is
safe to say, are either mischievous or
wholly unnecessary. The flood gates
of special legislation seem to have
been let loose, and every conceivable
subject has been acted upon which
the ingenuity Of man could suggest.
But it is in the realm of obnoxious
legislation affecting individual rights
that recklcssness has been especially
developed. There has been SO much
penal legislation enacted in recent
years that good citizen hardly knows
which way to turn to avoid becoming
a criminal by the infraction of statutes
specifically regulating his conduct.
The sound and well-recognized gen
eral doctrine thata man may eat, drink
and wear whatsoever he pleases, and
act as he himself sees fit, SO long as
he does not interfere with the just
rrerogatives of his neighbors, is being
SO hedged about with exceptions and
qualifications that it has almost been
lost sight Of. 1t is fitting time to
revive the consideration of elementary
principles of conduct and to determine
the true province of the lawmaking
powers of government.
Excise legislation has been enacted
so arbitrary and unreasonable, that
the citizen may well inquire whether
all his natural rights have been for
feited to the State. Exhorbitant IL
cense fees have been authorized !;
virtual monopolies have been created
in the liquor selling business; every
just principle of taxation has been
violated in order to deprive localities
of excise moneys properly belonging to
them, and to build up huge State
liquor machine; improper discrimi-
nations have been sanctioned between
the meals and resorts Of millionaires
and those of poor men; the principle
of home rule in excise matters has
been set aside Or ignored; unusual
methods of trial and judicial procedure
have been provided for; severe penal
ties have been authorized for trivial
offences all this has been done, not
merely in the interest Of political sell
6shness, but in Difference to spirit of
fanaticism-intolerant and arrogant in
its exactions-which, under the pre-
tence Of regulating legitimate business,
annoys, persecutes and oppressess
peaceful citizens in the enjoyment Of
their inherent rights.
Our public schools have been in
vaded in the temperance crusade which
has been carried on, whereby in order
to more completely stop the consump-
tion of harmless beverages our teach
ers are compelled by law-under pen
atty of forfeiture of public moneys
to teach during a number of hours
each week upon the mooted question
of the alleged injurious effects of such
beverages upon the human system.
Was ever a more ridiculous law enacted
in free State ?
But, not content with such invasions
of our personal rights, it is now
seriously proposed to establish sys-
tenn of official espionage over our social
clubs in order that excise laws may be
more strictly enforced. There is SEEM
ingly a spirit abroad that cares little
about the prevention Of murders, rob-
berries, thefts and assaults-apparently
viewing these heinous offences with
much conference.-the which clam
orously insists that the police power
of our great cities shall be largely d.
rected to the detection of petty viola
tions Of sumptuary laws.
There is a persistent endeavor to
still further restrict rather than to
relax the laws applicable to the speed
ing of horses. We are already so
hedged about with narrow constitutions
and mcddlesome statutes upon that
subject that legitimate sports and
reasonable recreations have been much
interfered with and embarrassed. Ex-
treme ruritanism is rampant. Liberal
ism is 10 the rear.
Even the liberty of the press-sup-
posed to be guaranteed by our Consti-
tution--is not safe from attack. Our
lawmakers are further contemplating
the prohibition of the printing Of the
picture of any person in newspaper
without the express consent Of such
person. While such measure would
undoubtedly possess some advantages
and is not wholly without merit, yet,
after all, is it not really step IN the
wrong direction Where is the line
to be drawn? Would there not soon
follow the prohibition Of the printing
of the picture of ones house, barn,
carriage, horse or servant? Would
not full and complete censorship of
the press be next in order? Indeed,
a measure to that effect has already
been introduced in the New York
Legislature, and is now awaiting action.
These facts show the wonderful pro-
gress which the adhcrents Of absolut
ism are making in theirzcal to suppress
what remnants of personal liberty are
still permitted to remain among us.
We arc familiar with the old argument
which is urged as a justification for