The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1900-08-10
THE QUESTION.
Is an Empire Probable or Pos
sible?

The vast majority of the people of the
United States have never known any
other form OF Government than that of
a Republic, and upon first impulse will
answer that they are opposed to mon
archy These people, Democrats, Re
publicans. or Populists. used all their
lives TO free institutions. are slow TO be-
lieye that there Is any real danger of a
change from Republic to monarchy.
History proves that such changes have
resulted in Nations, and by methods
that vast numbers of the people did not
suspect until the change was fastened
irrevocably. The wonderful prejudice
excited by partyism is the greatest lever
age toward accomplishing results. Such
an immense majority Of the people are
pre-inclined to endorse and approve that
which party leaders-the party ma
chine''-advocates and to condemn that
which the party leaders-the party
machine"-of the.opposing side favors.
Don't you know that two-thirds of the
Republicans will condemn any position
two-thirds Of the Democratic leaders
favor, and that 1t Is equally true as to
the Democrats. One party views as the
merest elap-trap the gravest issues made
by their opponents.
The history Of the world is strewn
with the wrecks Of Republics. and n
vast majority of the people Of the world
yet believe that monarchical form Of
Government is for the best welfare Of
the people. The tendency of "a large
element in all Republics has been 70 60
,, back TO monarchy, and, regretable as 1t
is, it is none the less fact, that per
centage of the larger property owners
are the more ready ones 10 embrace
} monarchy. under the idea that it is more
J steady and better protection to prop.
erty. Such an element exists in the
United States. Two-thirds Of the vot-
. cru of the Republican party are as tru'
, 10 Republican institutions as are thu
? same number of Democrats, but the,
> are more apt to vote in the direction 0
= monalchical institutions because the,
= have confidence in the patriotism 0
= their party leaders, and believe that th
= oEs<sSfr<p kiAlisia Is nesS ialaagognar
- and clap trap upon the part of Demo
q Gratis. And leaders who advocate arb
u trary rule have confidence in their owl
= patriotism to believe that in as much a
. they do not aim to establish a mon
\ archy that, therefore, when they hav
= won an election, that the brakes" cal
. be put down.
Athens had Republic for 800 wears
= Carthage, 700; Rome, 500; Florence
800; Netherlands, 200; Venice, loo
Where are these Republics now? Tn
Republic OF the United States has onl.
existed 1874 years-short lived compare,
to the older experiments.
The destruction of these Republic
came, chiefly, from corruptions inciden
G. to the glory of military power, the as
II. sumption of power as necessary to sus
" tain a great and rich nation. Gradually
rs it obtained that the voice of the peopl
or was dangerous to the great interests o
K trade, commerce, and the success o
pa rulers, and that success was dependen
ny upon power being concentrated in tn
h. hands of few. To begin with, n
ce President of the United States woul,
el' willingly or, if willing, would dare u
~ exercise such arbitrary power, excep
or his conviction that it was necessary {
of success, and, therefore, justified by tn
On people
~ Fairly, reasonably, conscientiously
Of what are the evidences of the drift o
rs our institutions toward monarchyy
lie. In this country we can already Sc
the beginning of the descent in tn
abdication of power by our Legislative
nv bodies. 1t is all Trust the President
es Don't regulate the government of tn
Us Philippines 10y law leave it TO IN
- President.
he Don't interfere with Cuba-let tn
nd President attend 20 it,
We Don't let the Porto Ricans choos
~ their own rulers let the President az
-, point them.
is Don't say how the $50 OOO, 900 nation
he al defence fund is to be spent give tn
-, President entire discretion.
TO Don't fix price for armor plates
Of leave 1t to the Presidents Secretary c
ne the Navy.
nj Don't lay down a policy in China
hit let the President decide what our rela
of tions shall be with a third of the huma
lis race.
IT If this keeps ON much longer it wi
is. make no particular difference whethe
ed we have the name of Emperor OF no
m We shall have the fact Of Empire
es
IN