Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1901-10-26
..UnconscIcus Anarchz.

A recent issue of the Rochester
Democrat and Chronicle (why the
word democrat. should be part of
the papers title is mystery contains
most interesting editorial which APP
peared in the Commoner a short time
ago. The Democrat and Chronicle
says:
''AS Mr.. Bryan has said our form of
government is the best ever devised
for people capable Of Self-govern-
ment. The reason that it is the best
ever devised for such people land the
worst ever devised for people untitled
for Self-government) is that it places
the governing power unreservedly in
the hands of the people. The people
have full power, except as it is limit
ed by the fundamental law, to govern
or mis-govern themselves exactly as
they please and they can alter fupda-
mental law whenever they choose"
1t will be noticed that the Demo
GRAFT and Chronicle qualities Mr.. Bry-
ans statement by adding the words,
''for people capable Of self-goVern-
ment."
The above language shows the
standpoint from which republicans
are beginning to view the subject of
government. Their attempt to mis-
represent democratic, doctrines is of
little Importance, and their conscious
and constant twisting of democratic
arguments does not deserve attention.
But the increasing emphasis with
which they denOunce the principles of
American government is worthy of
serious consideration. This doctrine
that some people. are capable Of self
government and that other yeople are
| incapable of it, has as d corollary the
! imperialistic doctrine that the ''capa-
BILE" people should assume, as matter
| of duty, the government OF the inca
pable ones, and OF course while the
capable ones are governing the inca
pable ones, the Incapable ones must
pay the expenses and the capable ones
must make DIS much profit as possible,
nationally and individually, out of the
self-imposed duty. Public attention
should be called to the present atti-
tude of the republican party, and it's
position should be compared with the
position taken by those who have been
regarded as authority.
Jefferson in first Inaugural Address
said: sometimes it is said that man
cannot be trusted with the govern
ing of himself Can he, then, be trust
ed with the governing of others? Or
have we found angels in the form of
kings to govern him? Let history
answer this question. ="
If republicans are unwilling to ac-
cept the authority of Thomas Jeffer-
son, they ought certainly to heed the
words of Henry Clay. The xhig party
was the forerunner of the republican
party, and Abraham Lincoln was one
Of Clay'S warmest supporters. In 1918
Clay made a speech fe the House Of
Representatives on the en- ancipation
of South America (See the Worlds
Best OrationS.) In the course OF his
argument he took occasion to condemn
the very sentiment which now finds
expression in the republican papers.
Here are his words:
cit is the doctrine of thrones, that
man is too ignorant to govern him
self. Their partiSans assert his inca
pacity, in reference to all nations; if
they cannot command universal assent
to the proposition, it is then demand
ed to particular nations; and our pride
and our presumption too often make
converts Of US. 1 contend, that it is
too arraign the disposition Of Provi-
dence himself, TO suppose that he has
created beings incapable of govern
ing themselves. and to be trampled on
by kings. Self-government is the nat
ural government of man.
If, however, the republicans want
some more recent authority-autho
ity more closely identified with the
republican party-let them turn to
the speech made by Abraham Lincoln
, in Chicago in 1858 and they will find
: there complete and conclusive an
, Swer to such a sentiment as that
quoted from the Democrat and Chron-
icle.
Lincoln said:
"ThoSe arguments that are made,
+ that the inferior race are to be treat
ed with as much allowance as they are
capable enjoying, that as much is to
be done for them as their condition
will allow-what are these arguments?
They are the arguments that kings
have made for enslaying the people
in all ages of the world. You will
find that all the arguments in favor
of kingcraft were of this class; the
always bestrode the necks of the pc o
pie, not that they wanted to do it
but that the people were better off fol
being ridden. That is their argu
ment."
What a fall is this! The sell -evi
dent truths, proclaimed in the begin
ming of our nation S history and rsever-
ed for century and a quarter, have
| hecOme Etl1DconSciOuC auarchvl'' FPbav