The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-09-23

(By'%". 81. Joerns.) H. ~
In democracy the hope Of the masses
lies in the fullest possible expression
Of the popular will. Cast and privilege
shun public discussion and the popular
edict.. They rely, as yet, rather ON
the deft hand Of the political nanipula-
tor: the wiles of the tnsinuating lobby
and the Vaccinations of the press
bureau. Some day., II we will permit
them. they will drive us like cattle and
hold popular aspiration in check with
the iron hand Of military rule.
The great Republic, theoretically, Is
supposed to be the haven of the polite
ally and socially oppressed Of all ma
tions.' To escape the class distinctions
and economic and political bondage Of
the Old World. these have jotrneyed
by the million to the land Of promise
and opportunity. What farce, indeed,
that in this land Of wonderful natural
resource and oetensibly Of the .''rule Of
the people" we should deliberately forge
or allow to be placed upon us the very
shackles. to escape which the hardy I'M
migrant had braved~wind and wave and
the boundless uncertainties Of the great
territory beyond the sea-
Yet wherein lies the distinction be-
tween being the serf, in fact If not in
name, of coal. beef, oil or railroad
"baron" or Of some English or Rus
sian duke with his boundless domain
Of ruthlessly appropriated field and for
est? Will the burden in America be
less humiliating because the line of
predatory cleavage in this country is
less remote7 viii the yoke set more
easily because it is the product Of our
own Incidence, cowardice or neglect?
There Is no more important problem
confronting the American people today
than the very serious and quite i'm
question whether democracy
and manhood shall live or die. None
that comes or should come home to the
great working masses Of the country
with more terrifying force; for In It's
proper solution are involved all other
questions Of ultimate veal or woe:
The American people are still sound
at the core. In spite Of System" H.
legitimate individual and corporate ex-
ploitation and political corruption, the
cankers have, as yet, not penetrated
to the vitals. The great mass Of the
people is still true to the higher ideals
and remains. as before, the ultimate
safeguard Of liberty and the pursuit Of
happiness. II this were not 80 our
doom would be already sealed. There
Is needed, however, and needed badly,
by way Of check better and more
forceful ands direct avenue OF popular
expression than is guaranteed by sim
ply the ballot and the reliance on ad-
ministrative and legislative integrity
and capacity.
The people must be brought into d.
rect contact with legislative activity
and, If they 50 desire. to vote upon and
to endorse or reject the legislative en-
actments Of their Representatives II
the wisdom Of legislation Is questioned,
the people should have the right to
pass upon 1t before It finally becomes
the law. If recreant legislators will not
act In accordance with popular desire
there should be an Immediate way to
compel them to respond to the will Of
the. people. - = g
This salutary power Of ultimate and
direct control In the people is gdarante-
cd in the adoption, Of the Initiative and
Referendum The question has passed
beyond the stage Of experiment and
this vital reform measure has the en-
dorsement sof the best thought of the
age. In it's general Incorporation into
our political system lies our best hope
to maintain inviolate the priceless hertz
age Of the Fathers. To organized la
Dor the question represents the gold
en- opportunity Of political and economic
emancipation.
In this connection 1t is a pleasure to
refer to a very thoughtful and conser-
vat1ve article on the question in the
September number of the Arena, that
sterling journal of advanced economic
thought, entitled Direct Popular Legis-
lat1on." It is we'll worth the perusal
Of every patriotic citizen.