Gilpin observer., 1904-08-18


Joy property or to reside where his
interests or inclinations may determ-
inc; and the fulfllment of the assur-
ance to rebuke and punish all denials
OF these rights, whether brought
about by individuals or government
agencies, should be enforced by every
official and supported by every citizen.
The essence Of good government lies
in strict observance of constitutional
limitations, enforcement of law and
order and rugged opposition to all en-
croachment upon the sovereignty Of
the people.
"The present tariff law is unjust in
its operation excessive in many of its
rates, and SO framed in particular in.
stances as to exact inordinate profits
from the people.
So well understood has this view be-
come that many prominent members
Of the Republican party and at least
two of its state conventions have dared
to voice the general sentiment on that
subject. That party seems, however,
to be collectively able to harmonize
only upon plank that admits that re.
vision may from time to time be nee
essary, but so phrased that it is ex.
pected to be as satisfactory to those in
favor Of an increase of duty as to
those who favor reduction thereof
and those opposed to any change what
ever.
with absolute control of both the
Legislative and executive departments
Of the government since March 4, 1897.
there has been neither reduction nor
an attempt at reduction in tariff duties.
1t is not unreasonable to assume, in
the light of that record, that q future
COp Orocc Of fhof portv will MT nm.
dertake a revision of the tariff down.
ward in the event that it shall receive
an Endorsement Of its past course on
that subject by the people.
$50 confident am In the belief that
the demand Of the people for reform
Of the tariff is just that indulge in
the hope that should Democratic ex-
ecutive be chosen by the people, even
q Republican Senate may heed the
warning and consent to give at least
some measure Of relief to the people.
1.-The combinations popularity called
trusts, which aim to secure a monop-
oily Of trade in the necessaries Of life,
} as well as in those things that are
employed upon the farm, in the fac
tory and in many other fields Of in
dustry. have been encouraged and
stimulated by excessive tariff duties.
| 1 uS66 OpcLdt6 " q SuDSChuIlR1
market in the necessities Of 0,000, 900
, people by practically excluding compe-
, tition.
What Is needed, in addition to the
passage of q statute revising the tar
III duties to a reasonable basis, Is not
, so much other and different laws as
officials having both the disposition
and the courage to enforce existing
laws. While this is my view of the
scope Of the common law, If it should
be made to appear that 1t Is mis-
taken idea, then 1 favor such further
legislation within constitutional lines
as will give the people just and full
! measure Of protection.
3 1T is difficult to know how any citi-
3 zen Of the United States, much less q
descendant Of Revolutionary stock.
can tolerate the thought Of perma.
/ nently denying the right of seK-gov-
: eminent to the Filipinos. Can We
. hope to instill into the minds Of our
descendants the reverence and devo-
tion for government by the people
while denying ultimately that right to
: the inhabitants of distant countries
whose territory We have acquired ei-
: ther by purchase or by force? Can
we say to the Filipinos: "Your lives.
your liberty and your property may
be taken from you without due pro-
: cess OF law for all time," and expect
, we will long glory in that feature Of
the Magma Charta which has become
! incorporated, In substance and effect.
in tho constitution of every state, as
well as into the fourteenth amend
ment to the constitution of the United
States?
II protest, however. against the
the feeling, now far too prevalent, that
by reason Of the commanding position
we have assumed in the world, we
must take part In the disputes and the
broils Of foreign countries; and that
because we have grown great we
should intervene in every important
, question that arises in other parts of
r the world.
II also protest against the erection
OF any such military establishment as
would be required to maintain the
: country in that attitude. We should
: confine our International activities
solely to matters In which the rights
of the country or of our citizens are
directly involved. This is not a stu
alton of isolation, but Of independ-
ence.
3 For fifty years, with the exception
, Of the war, this country has been at
7 peace with standing army most of
: the time of less than $4,000 men. Who
r thinks that the nation has grown ef-
5 Terminate during that period should
7 read the casualty rolls Of the army on
t either side Of Shiloh and Antietam
: and Fredericksburg and Gettysburg.
at Stone River and Chickamauga. I
r would be the last man to pluck
! single laurel from the crown Of any
one Of the military heroes to whom
3 this country owes SO much. but In
, sist that their most heroic deeds
, proceeded Infinitely more from heroic
devotion to the country than from
: martial spirit.