The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-18

do the thinking for the people. In the
early history OF this country Thomas JEFF
ferson and Alexander Hamilton repre-
sented these two ideas.
N HAMILTON.
Jefferson not only believed that the
people should think for themselves and
should elect their representative but
believed in short terms and frequent cleo
tions in order that the citizens might more
effectively control their public servants.
Hamilton, on the other hand, believed in a
strong centralized Government in which
the officials should be removed as far as
possible from the voter.
His plan OF government, carefully pre-
pared and presented at the time Of the
formation OF the Constitution, provided
for a President elected for life or during
good behavior; for Senators elected for
life or during good behavior, or for Gov
ernors Of the several States appointed
by the President for life or during good
behavior. No one would propose such a
plan at this time. so great has been the adj
n toward democracy.
This growth is indicated by the fact that
the national House OF Representatives
has four times declared in favor Of tho cleo
ton OF the United States Senators by direct
vote of the people and by the further fact
that more than two-thirds Of the States or
the Union have by legislative action de-
clared in favor Of this change. The I'M
popularity Of the latter part OF Hamilton's
plan, namely, the appointment OF Governors
by the President, is shown by the fact that
the Territorial system under which the
Governors are appointed by tho President,
not for life. but for q few years., is deemed
unsatisfactory. The people OF q Territory
are always wanting Statehood, and the
main reason is that they desire TO elect
their own officials.
DEMOCRATIC IDEA GROWING.
The democratic idea is ~growing-the term
IL not used in a partisan sense but in that
broader sense In which it describes govern
ment by the people. There Is not a civilized
nation In which the idea OF popular govern
ment il not growing, and in all the semi
civilized nations there are reformers who
are urging an extension OF the influence OF
the people in government.
So universal IL this growth OF democratic
ideas that there can be nc doubt Of the
final triumph Of these ideas. Monarchies,
at first unlimited. are now limited, and lin
tied monarchies are recognizing more and
more the right OF the people TO a voice in
their own government. Monarchies and
a~ristocracies end toward democracy, and
republics tend to become more and more
democratio in their forms and methods.
When the seed, planted in the earth. sends
forth the tender leaf and then the stalk;
when the grain appears upon the stalk and
,,,nNIfaaf ha hraoA naOagaaru for tho Gnnnnrf
OF our bodies, We know that there il back Of
the seed a force irresistible and constantly
working. AZ irresistible and as c~easeless
in its activity is the force behind political
and moral truth.
The advocates Of the American theory
Of government can, therefore, labor with
the confident assurance that the principles
planted upon American soil a century and q
quarter ago are destined to grow here and
everywhere until arbitrary power will no.
where be known, and the voice of the people
will be recognized, II not as the voice OF God.
at least, as Bancroft defines it, a. the best
expression Of the divine will 10 be found
upon the earth.
POWER OF PUBLIC PINIoN
In republics, as in other forms Of gov
ernment,t there will at times be disturbances,
but these come from a failure to recognize
and respect the current Of public opinion.
II we stand by the side Of a stream and
watch it glide past us we can in safety
listen to the songs OF the waters, but il
we attempt to dam the stream we find
the water rising above the dam.
II we make the dam higher still, the water
rises still more, and at last the force OF the
INSTRUCTED water is so great hat no dam
made by human hands can longer stay il.
Sometimes, when the dam Is washed away,
damage is lone to those who live in the
valley below. but the fault is not in the
stream but in those who attempt to OBJ
struCt il.
So in human society there is a current
OF public opinion which flows ever on
ward. II left to nave its way il does not
harm any one, but II unobstructed this
current may become a menace. At last
the obstruction must yield to the foroe
Of the current.
In monarchies and aristocracies the dam
is sometimes built so high that it must be
removed by force that the waters may have
their q but in republics the ballot can
be relied upon to keep the channel OF the
stream open, or If obstruction IL placed
there to remove it while yet it can be re-
moved with safety. The advantage of a
republic is that the people, through their
representatives. are able to give public
opinion free play, and the more demo-
cratic a republic is the more nearly does
IL conform TO the wishes Of the people.
No one can study the Governments of
the Old World without a feeling Of graft
tude that in the New World the science
OF government has been carried to it's
highest point, and that the people enjoy
the privilege and bear the responsibility
OF leading the world in recognizing the
right of the people to devise and to direct
the Government under which they are to
work out their destiny.
THE END.