The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-06

American understanding of the relation of the state
to the individual. 1t could be regarded as a most
logical and necessary part of the machinery of abso
lutte government And it's adoption in. the German
empire has always been looked upon as a legitimate
expression of the complete control which the state
has assumed of the lives and fortunes of it's Judi
yidual members. On the theory that the Individual
exists for the state, rather than the the
individual, of this character are entirely
allowable. Under a strictly democratic form of gov
eminent they are simply impossible. requires the
power of an absolute monarchy, of state social
ism, to Justify any such line of legislation.
In English politics it is worthy of remark that
all movements of this character have had the sup
port of those who stand for popular control while
they have also had the consistent opposition of those
who stand for the swaysOf the and the aristoC
racy Going step, further, and regarding this phe
nomenon as it presents itself in certain of the
British colonies it is plain that the Impulse behind
movements of this character the popular raaher
than the mOnarchical, principle. In the Antipodes.
the old-age pension movement has made great adj
vancement Indeed it has reached the point of
adoption. All opposition to it is thus far recognized
as having failed. And, significant still, it is
but one item IN programme of public policy adopt
ed in those colonies which is Of the most decidedly
socialistic nature. The ownership of public means
of transportation and of all mineral productions, by
the state is feature of the policy adopted under the
Southern Cross. 1t requires but brief step to take
the Australasians across the line which marks the
boundary of state socialism. That STEP involving, as
it must, the ownership and control by the state Of
all the agencies of production will evidently be
taken much earlier, judging by the progress Of the
Immediate past, than many disposed to believe.
Young states like those colonies of Great Britain
in the Antipodes, may without any great HARM
gage themselves in experiments Of this character;
but it is quite another matter of powerful empire,
representing the most conservative people in Europe,
putting such principles into operation at the very
central point of national existence 1t is too early
to predict anything in regard to the outcome Of the
oldage pension movement in England, but it is
trely reasonable to say that if it should be adopted
there will be a greater change thereby wrought IN
the constitutional system of England than has en-
sued since the days of Cromwell
Americans regard movements of this general
character with interest and curiosity. Great has
been the unrest created among people by the
advent of trusts no American of this generation
CARDS seriously the prospect in his time, of having
any such lines of policy approved by popular sonti-
ment. There may be found or less Justification
for them even under a limited monarchical system,
like that of England But their adoption in the
United States cannot be contemplated except the
result Of complete ovtrturning of the fundamental
principles underlying constitutions and laws.