New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-27
"TRE FATHERS"

AS often as some exercise of federal authority
Seyond accustomed limits. though along familiar
lines, is seriously proposed we are reminded of
the existence Of estimable citizens whose pre-
conceived ideas and whose habits Of thought
lmpel them TO view every such suggestion with
alarm. Just now the country is considering
whether or not it is advisable for the national
government to undertake a closer supervision of
Interstate commerce and Of the activities of
organized capital. The question is one concern
ing which there is inevitably a wide difference
OF opinion. but it has been gratifying to observe
fhe dlspassionate temper Of the discussion thus
Tar and to feel that it is leading toward q wise
SECESSION. Every argument is pertinent which
proceeding from observation, experience and
Intelligent reflection, seeks TO prove that the
general welfare either would or would not be
promoted by the adoption Of the policy pro-
posed; but now and then an earnest controver-
fialist rises to urge an objection so antiquated
and NlusoFy that we cannot but feel he Is vast
ing his time and taxing the public patience.
Thus we are begged TO remember that a
bestowal upon the Interstate Commerce Com
mission Of power to change particular freight
tate, on complaint, after fun investigation and
subject to review, would be such an extension
pf the authority vested in the federal govern
f0ent by the Constitution as the fathers never
dreamed Of" Now, one fault with that pre-
sumption, as it is commonly employed, is that
Il Is not altogether safe. THE fathers" were
wonderful men. and it sometimes seems as If
they must have been wizards They sew a
multitude Of things, existent and prospective.
with amazing clearnesS. and we have never felt
Ike setting a limit TO their powers of divina-
mon. ''Their land was but q shelving strip.
black with the strife which set il free" and
fhey did not live Ito see its banners dip their
fringes IN the Western sex" But nevertheless
they framed an organic instrument which. I'M
changed except to suit the conditions arising
from civil war, has satisfied all the essential
requirements Of q vast continental empire. If
fthey Old not forecast the long future, they at
Ileast realized the necessity Of providing for
many possibilities which they could not dis
icern.
There was OF course, a field beyond their
VISION. and what II is permissible for the ma
iuonal government to do therein IS the chief
lQnesuon over which from their day To ours.
istatesmen have commended Jefferson. whose
lantniflons were sometimes sounder than his rea-
sonings, grayeIy doubted in a letter 10 Garlatin
ne constitutional authority Of the Treasury
Department 70 build a lighthouse md tho
LEGALITY OF internal Improvements was long the
subject OF solieitous debate. We do not hear
ANYBODY anxiouslg inqulring at the present tima
| waat the fathers meant to have done ahont
those matters, and we have a strong imnroz
son that they wonid consider IL rIdicuIops for
succeeding generations TO ask their permjssio,,
TO utilize for new md wise purposes an The
consulnno;ial resources which they either dc.
Aoerafeiy or fortuitously provided.
Whether or not the fathers ever dreamed ~
INA 1oat OF TIE other thing which needs to be