The independent., 1903-04-09

WOf0S, the principle Oh loose cOuSIruc-
tion is in harmony with the doctrine
lof thrones" and is more or less in
Iaccord with plutocracy, or is more or
LESS the legitimate offspring of the
Iaristocratic idea that kings have "di-
wine rights"
Loose construction is the entering
wedge of paternalism in governments
We might say paternalism, special
privileges, or, in other words, discrim-
ination is the harlot OF loose con-
struction. When government ceases
to travel on the high plane of equity
and justice, and becomes the prostl-
itute OF wealth, it ceases 10 be the ifn-
plement of justice and becomes the
instrument of extortion and legisla-
tive blackmail.
Governments that place on their
statutes laws that discriminate against
the many in favor OF the few are not
! in the true sense liberal governments
and are, therefore, to be placed in that
category, where the rights of the
many are subseryient to the viii OF
| the few.
Governments so constructed that the
will of self-constituted authority,
which is dominated by a lust for gain,
can change the policy at the whim OF
every interest that fattens itself by
such change, are as much arlsto-
cratic governments as though formed
and enforced by those who believe III
the powers of king.
The true test of government is its
power to keep open the natural ave.
nues of social and political progress.
No people trammeled with "legisla
tive larceny" can reach the plane OF
civilization, which gives to each and
every citizen an independence that is
broad enough for the citizen to pro-
tect all of his rights; yet not SO
broad but every other citizen can en-
Joy the same liberty The virtue of
government depends on its strict In
depreciation of the rights OF its con-
stituency. A strict Interpretation of
constitutional government recognizes
that every citizen mas rights that are
inalienable.
No government under which It's
citizens can discharge their whole duty
can do any more than to bestow on
each citizen rights that the citizen
naturally gathers to himself A gov
ernment that is unbiased will defend
those rights that are the chief corner
stone of freedom.
Governments are really what the
people make them; governments will
be just in proportion as the people
feel and enforce justice. The work
,ings of government must show the
spirit of free institutions, if the peo-
Iple enjoy the fruits of freedom. Lib
erty may be partially felt and perhaps
may be by the few enjoyed, but lib
erty that throbs with justice and de-
tends the field Of opportunity, as the
heritage of all men, cannot fail to be-
stow on the whole people the fruits
of the most exalted civilization, and
give each a just compensation, as the
natural result of an equitable distri-
button Of wealth.
While we have written quite extern
sively on the above heading, We have
tried to make plain the purpose of
governments; tried to impress the
reader that it lies N the power OF the
people to say whether a small part OF
the citizens of this great common
wealth shall enjoy, as their special
patrimony, the great resources OF this
country.
We wish to impress the great A.l-
erican people that they are the ones
to blame; if the few wax rich, they,
the people, are to blame. Govern
ments are just as good as the people
make them. All that is the matter
with the people is they want the in
stitutions of freedom, but don't want
to bear the burdens that freedom
costs.
We think that civic virtue would
redeem much of the oppression under
which the people groan. Many are |
crying that there is no chance for the
people, when the men who are sent |
to represent them are so susceptible |
to the dollar. 1t is too true that po-
litical virtue Is thing of the past.
But the time is coming when the
people will come. into their own.
To recapitulate: we will say that
loose construction put on constitu-
tional government is but the pluto
cratic theory applied to government;
;c bo rouor behind tho throne