The Washington bee., 1897-06-19

under which the nation is now labor
ing, impossible
But Notwithstanding this, the oues-
tions press themselves upon us. What
is the cause of this adverse movement
0f puplic life? Why these manifes-
tations of power? Why this denial of
civil and political rights? Why does
labor go unhoused, unfed and un-
kempt while Incidence laps I'D the
wealth of the nation? These are ques-
tons which cannot be referred to the
theory of our government. The struc-
ture was constructed by men lust and
wise and good, who from the chaos of
demolished governments and consti-
tutions selected principles which if
properly guarded would stand the
shock of centuries.
The tact is that these conditions have
arisen out of misconception of, or
indifference to the true functions of
social organization. They have re-
suited from disposition on the part of
the individual to right his own wrongs
at the expense, and in defiance of law
and order, and to arrogate to himself
that authority which was intended and
declared should rest with the people
in an organized social capacity.
This presumption of individual au-
thority has begotten disrespect for
and spirit of defiance toward public
authority 1t is the basis of States
rights and 1t is the inspiration which
now infames the breast of the Anar-
chist, the Nihilist and Socialist, which
indorses lynch law and justifies polit-
iCal assassination
How to modify, neutralize, or re-
n owe these conditions is A problem
which confronts and is to be solved by
the Chief Magistrate of the Nation.
This depends upon the disposition
OF the Executive to encourage the jul
diCiouS exercise of constitutional rights
and to enforce constitutional guaran-
tees.
1t requires that the ballot which was
designed to represent and which IS
capable of representing thought, con-
science and responsibility shall be ex-
erCised toward the securement of just
and equitable government; that there
shall be fostered in all political
methods, purity, justice, and human
ity, based on moral and intellectual
capacity; that force shall be subordi-
mated to reason; that the spirit of 81
am better than thou" be liberalized
and broadened until its limits shall
compass every character which forms
part of the American body-polltic; ;
that the spirit of caste, of selhshness,
shall give way to an enlarged public
spirit and more perfect community
of interest that the whole people
he he I1rhr
ment and perfection all the parts of
society shall be tributary.
Moreover, the Executive disposition
must be accompanied by an under
standing which no sophistry can battle,
no prejudice bias, and no art elude;
by sense of justice which will accord
to the bronzed soldiery of Port Hud-
son, Fort Wagner and Millken's Bend,
the same recognition and honor as that
shown to the marbled victors of Pitts
burg Landing, Antietam, and Vicks-
burg to the loyal political allies of
recent States the same patronage as
that all dispended those claims to be
rich with the laborS of ancient art and
emblazoned with the pomp of her
aldry; by patriotism which will re-
gard as paramont every home interest
which can effect the rights, liberties,
and happiness of the American people.
We believe that we now have Presi-
dent who is equal to the emergency,
and that a return to prosperity, happl-
ness, and brotherly love will be accom-
pIished through the wisdom, justice,
bravery, and christian effort of VIM.
Mckinley.