Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1897-12-03
essex County Gerald.
ISLAND PoxD, DECEMBER B.
true ConyIctIoH comes not through
Force or Fear.

Do.rd Of communities in certain sense
isolated one from the other controversies
and assumption OF power consisted IN
individual irregularities: but when those
Increased, expanded and
grew more into great mass individual
claims and tendencies were moved Ivy
combination of individuals; they then
became powerful. Formerly men sought
success through individual plans and e1-
ertions, now they seek it through design
and by combinations. The purpose then
was to create wealth individually, nowlt
is to acquire it. II men would spend one
half the time in creating wealth and per-
sonal merit that they do in fighting for
division of that already created there
would be less trouble and more social
harmony.
1t is most fortunate in these times that
we live under a constitutional govern
ment. Hardly Il dav passes i'll which we
do not see and feel the restraint OF law
especially our fundamental laws, on the
impulsiye tendencies of men. 1t is natu-
raj for mankind to follow popular cur
rents OF sentiment and to bow obsequi-
ously in the presence OF power. At the
same time those who are most supple in
their genuflections to what they think is
superior or promises success arcthe most
arrogant and presumptious when set
free or when treating those they deem to
he inferior to themselves.
Out of this condition We have COM
bination of capital and one of labor;
IAN aristocracy Of sentiment which de-
mands universal acceptance and adop-
ton, and a combination of defiance to it.
We have tyranny, natural tyranny. 1t is
feared by the masses who are generally
timid We have the tyranny Of bigotry,
.of assumption of opinions and morals.
We have the tyranny of wealth, and
worst of all we have that tyranny which
is exercised individually and collectively
whenever occasion occurs and which even
seeks to dictate opinions, methods, NOR
ais and conduct both in ethical and civil
spheres. This is tyranny which does
not exercise itself openly, but rewards
with favors and Furnishes with material
dsfavors in such unexposed conditions
as to avoid open censure, but so as to
create a silent fear which drives slavish
minds to acqulescencc.
The peculiar tendencies of the times
dead individuals not to build up them
selves individually, not to construct well
founded stepping stones for themselves,
but rather to appropriate the efforts OF
others and thus rise to a seeming height
where they can remain in the estimation
of their surroundings long enough to en-
able them to appropriate sufficient to
bear them through life, wearing what
the crowd sometimes esteem as much as
they would real inertia snowy assump-
ton oft.
So long as these tendencies do not take
hold of any of the machinery of govern
Inent the injury that they do is merely
temporary and such conditions soor
right themselves. Men soon see that I'M
pulse is not reason, that passion is neither
growth nor healthy accomplishment
They soon tire Of temporary excitement
and seek more substantial grounds. Rea
son and common sense cools and regu
lates all intolerant, fretful passions. Blu,
when these tendencies take hold of any
of our constitutional guarantees, OF
when they invade or corrode the legis
lative or executive branch of the govern
ment, or even when they infuse them
selves into political parties they are con-
ing too near the liberties OF the people tt
be comfortable. When the legislature i.
approached i'll individual interests b,
personal or party associations, anc
when either the legislative or the judicia
department of any government bends t.
personal or political influences it is tn,
beginning OF the end of constitutional
government. When a man sitting as ;
court, whether it be in Wisconsin. O.
Florida, or whether he be Bailey or :
Jettreys, being candidate for reelection
to the bench among many competitors
orders an editor of paper before him 70
contempt in that the editor had charged
him with being extravaganza and un
tair Ill the trial ofcauses which had pon
by it is time for alarm. And when sue
a man is attempted to be interrupted il
}lis proceedings by process of law an,
proceeds to adjudge his criticiser guilt
OF contempt there is still further occasion
tor alarm. The right of free speech, ire
thought, free publication of the citizen
sentiments on all subjects, as well as tn
right to discuss the merits as well as TIL
qualifications of candidate for publ
office, subject only to an action at la,
for their abuse, these, all these, are the
III immediate jeopardy. The extra iud
cial use OF power or its use for any othe
purpose or in any other direction than t
accomplish justice and the public good
more destructive of the foundations {
TINS government than all the force tina
has been exercised upon it since the wa
by riots, tumults, strikes or in any othe
manner
Another exercise ofjudicial power is b
ing much discussed at the present tim,
namely that which is being exercised t.
wards labor organizations. The will {
the majority, public sentiment, is a gres
safeguard to our institutions, but
must be exercised inteIgently to