The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-05-21
~. llll

A NAIlON is the aggregate III
~ telligence, wealth, energy, ira
ditions purpose and con-
science of the people by whom
it's territory is inhabited. Like the in |
dividuals of which it is composed it
has successive stages of existence, is
born, becomes adolescent, natures, de- |
Gays and dies. The government of a
nation is the agency through which its
sovereignty is exercised. Monarchy is
the rule of one man; aristocracy OF the
wealthy and intelligent classes; democ-
racy of the majority of free citizens.
Tho differing in name and method, the
functions to be performed by each are
the same-the control and direction of
the authority of the state in dealing
with its own subjects and with the
other members of the great family of
nations.
Under each system there must be
chief executive, king, emperor or presi-
dent, through him the nations will is
exerted; and the duties being more than
one man can personally perform, he is
assisted by subordinates intrusted with
the affairs of different departments of
the public service. Collectively the
persons so employed are called in Eu
rope the Ministry and in the United
States the Cabinet. In Great Britain
the ministry is formed by some promi
nent party leader who is designated
by the sovereign to organize a cab
met. He selects from his political
friends those who agree with him in
policy, generally taking for himself the
place of premier or prime minister. The
official membership of the ministry is
not always identical, and, as it is q
body not recognized by the laws of
England, its acts and orders are pro-
mulgated through the privy council. 1t
contains members of the Lords and
Commons, and whenever upon test
question the house of Commons votes
against the policy of the cabinet, the
ministers resign and are replaced by
others who are in sympathy with the
majority. The government of Great
Britain is therefore actually govern
ment by parliamentary committees,
and is to that extent representative
democracy, rejecting the popular will
more directly than that of the United
States, where the president and his
cabinet are frequently at vsrience with
the majority of one or both houses of
Congress.
Under the constitution of the United
States the subordinate executive func.
tions are distributed among nine de-
partments, created by act of Congress
and filled by appointment by the presi.
dent, subject to confirmation by the
Senate. They form body of assistants
advisers and clerks to the president
for which the name cabinet has been
adapted from the political nomencla.
ture of England. The existing depart
ments were established in the follow
ing order: War (then comprising the
navy, August Z, 1889; Treasury, Sep
tember 2, 1889; State (then called for
eign affairs), September Is, 1889; Justice
September "a, 1889; Post Office tempo
rary) September %, 1889: permanent
May s, 1894; Navy, April 80, 1898; In
terror, March =, 1849; Agriculture, 1862
Commerce, 1903.
The postmaster general was 'treatet
as subordinate of the treasury de
partment until invited to attend tn,
meetings of the cabinet by Presiden
Jackson in 1929. The secretary O
state is regarded as first in rank amoni
the members of the cabinet. He i
charged with the duties pertaining Il
correspondence with public minister
and cousuls of the United States, witt
representatives of foreign powers &C
credited to the United States, and t.
negotiations of whatever character re
iating to our foreign affairs. He is al
so the medium of correspondence be
tween the president and the chief exec
utive of the several states of the Unite,
States; he has custody of the great sea