The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1904-10-01
Sept. 26, 1904.

contIemen-In my response to your
nmittee at the formal notification
.roceedings l referred to some matters
pot mentioned in this letter. l desire
thot these be considered as incorporat-
~ herein. and regret that lack of space
orevents specific reference to them |
n 7 wish here however, again to refer
- my views there expressed as to the
uo,d standard, to declare again my un-
Qualified belief in said standard and to
sypress my appreciation of the action
of the convention in reply to my com
munication upon that subject.
Crave public questions are pressing
tor decision. The Democratic party
onneals TO the people with confidence
hat its position on these questions will
ho accented and indorsed at the polls.
While the issues involved are numer-
ous some stand forth eminent in
tbe public mind. Among these are
tariff reform, Imperialism, economical
administration and honesty in the pub
No service. | shall briefly consider
tbese and some others within the nee
essarily prescribed limits of this letter.
Imperialism.
While | presented my views at the
notification proceedings concerning this
vital issue. the overshadowing impor-
tauce of this question impels me to re-
fer to it again. The issue is often
fines referred to as constitutionalism
versus Imperialism.
II we would retain our liberties and
constitutional rights unimpaired we
cannot permit or tolerate at any time
or for any purpose the arrogation OF
unconstitutional powers by the execu-
tive branch of our government. We
should be ever mindful of the words
Of webster, Liberty is only to be pre-
served by maintaining constitutional
restraints and just division of polit-
ical powers"
Already the national government has
become centralized beyond any point
contemplated or imagined by the
founders of the constitution. How tre-
mendously all this has added to the
power of the president, 1t has devel
oped from year to year until 1T almost
equals that of many monarchs. While
the growth of our country and the mag
nitude of interstate interests may seen
to furnish a plausible reason for this
centralization Of power, yet these same
facts afford the most potent reason
why the executive should not be per
mitted to encroach upon the other de
partments of the government and as
sumo legislative or other powers no
expressly conferred by the constitu
ton.
The magnitude. of the country AM
ITS diversity of interests and popula
zion would enable a determined, ambl
tOus and able executive unmindful o
constitutional limitations and fire.
with the lust of power, to go far L
the usurpation of authority and tn
hggrandizement of personal power be
fore the situation could be fully apprt
cated or the people be aroused.
The issue of imperialism which ha
peen thrust upon the country involve
decision whether the law of the Ian
Or the rule of individual caprice sha
govern. The principle of imperialisl
may give rise to brilliant startling
dashing results, but the principle
democracy holds in check the brilliaI
executive and subjects him to the 81
per, conservative control of the peopl
Inc people of the United State
and at the parting of the way
cnail we follow the footsteps of OF
fatners along the paths of peace, pro
Perlty and contentment, guided by u
ever living spirit of the constitute
winch they framed for us, or shall
20 along other and untried paths hit
\ ITO stunned by all. following blind
iew Ideals which, though appealir
WIN brilliancy to the Imagination al
moltion, may prove a will-o'-the-wis
n eaulng us into difficulties from whi'
may be impossible to extricate ou
ewes without lasting injury TO o.
auonai character and institutional
ne Tariff and Trusts.
Iarn reform is one OF the cardin
''heiples Of the Democratic faith, al
a 4e necessity for IL was never great
A ''ah al the present time. II should
4 "ueriaken az once IN the interest
v ~ our people.
N ine Dingley tarid Is excessive
dn rssnS Of its rates aud, as 10 them
asb pnjustly ana 0DDressiyely b'
! s~ me people, u secures 90 DOM
~ manufacturers, slpgly 0r la com
/. @Vyp' the privilege 0f eKactlpg
4 .'N' prices "a home aud prices
"A S''f 'pe leyel ~ sales made regui
Aem abroad Nifb propi ~
'ps y bounty ~ Foreigners "a
!. ,psN'e ef our pNp people u lef
A ''T''h'fe and unjust iafes AN
" Ail'olos forplng u whole ol y
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