The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-12-25
Especial 10 The Messenger.l

Washington. December o0-Have ths(
democrats found an issue upon which
to fight the next national campatsl'
prominent democrats in congress De-
lieVe they have, ard believe IL ii.s N
Secretary Roots speecn III the ceat-il-
izatiOn of power. In other words. they
would have the issue between "-Ianil-
tonism' and Jeffersonism," tn I~-Gr
which first divided the America elcc-
torate into parties.
Back in the days when the republic
was young, Alexander Hamilton
preached a doctrine much akin TO that
which Elihu Root breaches today. AND
Thomas jefferson arose 10 combat il.
The disciples of Hamilton were called
federalists. because to their minds .he
federal government was chief. the GOV
ernments of the several states holding
minor rank. The Jeffersonites were
called republicans though "State's
Fighters, a term of later coinage,
would AVE fitted them better. HEmii-
ton was strong and brainy and he
do of his party. Undoubtedly he
would have succeeded Washington in
the presidency but for the accidental
fact that he was n born on American
soil Jefferson also was an lido! dc
votedly loved; but just then federalism
was in the ascendency and Il was
Adams GOODNESS and lack of tact. rath-
er than strong p~artisanShip TO- the
states, that landed Jefferson in the
White house as the third president.
h strong conviction OF the rights
OF states came later, and served well
the democracy, which had succeeded
JeffersOn's party Of republicans. L.,
is true that Andrew Jackson, secondy
II rank OF democracy's patron s~alnts.V
was not fanatically committed to the
doctrine Of state sovereignty. as wit
ness his strong hand with South Caro-
lima nulGtiers: but since Jackson's tine
the democratic party has come to ce
looked upon as the especial champion
Of the states and their prerogatives. as
against the powers Of the federal gov
eminent, and in a battle against Root
ISM, the democracy would be on his
toric ground.
Democrats in congress profess 10
believe that Roots speech was
by authority" Of the president,
and profess also TO see therein a chaI-
lenge. This challenge they are very
willing To accept; indeed. they have
already picked up the gauntlet and are
mapping out their plan Of battle.
Everybody. democrats and republicans
alike. is waiting to see what attitude
will be taken by influential republicans
in congress, especially those republ:-
4 who do not always sympathiZe
with Mr.. Roosevelt's preachments. In
he main republicans probably will
s1destep the question. but it Is not be-
l!eved that such men as Spooner and
Foraker will permit the soundness of
the doctrine of the president To pass
without question. Resolutions intro
duced point to the fact, that immedi-
ately after the holidays the senate
will indulge in one Of those constitu-
tional debates for which the body has
come 10 De more or less noted. Dir.
Roots speech has aroused the adyo-
Gates Of states rights sharply. ard
created no end Of discussion as to
whether state lines are TO be more
and more obscured.
Even Senator Spooner, by his res5-
luton calling upon the committee OF
which he is a member to inform the
senate whether congress has the right
under the general clause Of
the constitution to prohibit the pro-
ducts OF child labor from interstate
commerce. raises the doubt as 10 The
extent of congressional power. It
would seem. however, that In the enact
ment Of the meat-inspection law con-
gress has gone infinitely farther In the
matter Of regulating matters tina. be-
long TO the state.
Inasmuch as the report of the judici-
airy committee practically would settle
the fate of the ehild-labor bill recon-
mended by the president. the debate
upon the committees report promises
TO be protracted. There will be aound-
ant opportunity for criticism OF the
Capitalization idea OF the president.
and the indications now are that this
criticism win not Re confired to the
democratic members OF the senate.