The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-12
SUNDAY. JUNE u. 1904.
Our Helpless Government.


The Colorado strike war demon
strates once more a fact which has
come up for observation in half
dozen ways within ten years-that
there is a screw loose somewhere in
our system Of government
We are at present in a situation
quite anomalous. The rioting in Col
orado affects not only the citizens Of
that State, but the interests of many
people in other States, and possibly
the lives OF nOn-residents who may
happen to be there for the time.
Such condition of affairs in Cen
trail America, in Venezuela, in Haiti,
in Morocco, or in China would lead to
talk of Intervention by the Washing
ton Government to protect American
interests, if it involved as many
American interests as there are Of the
interests of noG-residents of Colorado
involved in the present difficulty.
Not only is there no such talk of
Federal Intervention, but such action
on the part Of the President would be
impossible unless the transportation
OF the mails or the safety OF Federal
buildings were threatened-dev
ments not likely to take place. Our
Government can help keep order out
side our own country, but not in Il.
That is a peculiar restriction of duty.
Precisely the same obstacle was en-
countered nearly two years ago in
dealing with the coal strike, q gigar-
tic conflict which affected the bust
ness interests, the comfort, and the
rights Of the whole country, and then,
as now, it proved insurmountable.
We have been for three generations
tolerating that monstrous anachron-
ism, polygamy, in the State Of Utah
because it did not interfere with the
workings of the POstoTce Depart
ment or any other strictly Federal in
stitution.
The United States Government can
send officers into the Appalachian
baekwoods to carry on guerrilla war
fare against ignorant people who
make whisky without a license. but If
an entire State repudiates the later
amendments of the Constitution there
is nothing which can be done abou;
it, and nothing could be done about
any number of lynchings by stake
and torture. unless the State authori-
ties chose 10 do IT.
If any one State saw fit 10 revive
persecution for witchcraft il is hard
10 see what the Government at Wash
ington could do. though q member OF
Congress from another State should
chance to be among the martyrs.
Lawlessness in any part of the
country reflects Upon the reputation
Of the whole people, and ultimately
affects the whole people, but there is
nothing which the law-abiding people
in other sections can do to protect
themselves.
10 give more power TO the Execu-
tive would manifestly be dangerous
To give more power 70 Congress by
way OF strengthening the central Gov.
eminent, might not be The fact is
We have here the old question q
States Rights over again, absolutely
unsettled
Unless the country as a whole i.
content 10 occupy itself with Il
quoque arguments, each State excus
ing its own lawlessness by poiEtin;
20 the pet outrage of some othei
State, it viii soon become obvioui
that some way viii have to be foun,
10 stop local iawlessaess. if it eoe.
too far, By the application Of sem,
principle akin to that Of internationa
law.