The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1907-02-09


lV blush for the intellectual cali
bre OF her Senators. The late
addresses of Senator's Whyte and Ray
ner, in opposition to the 'encroacf-
ment of federal authority must be &C
corded the respect due to intelligent
and eloquent discussion OF cOnStitu-
tional questions. But the battle is
hopeless for such knights OF old;
they are fitting about matters that have
been, and always will be, settled more
bv the march OF events than by loren
sic contests. One cannot fight against
the stars in their courses and hope Tor
victory. The logic OF these gentlemen
is admirable and their historical cita-
tions in the main, quite accurate. But
life is more than logic and will be no
more bound by the letters OF a syIlog-
ism than will a living, thriving plant
consent to the confinement OF pot
ter's vessel The relation OF Federal
to State authority must be discussed
from the standpoint of twentieth cen
turv conditions and not from the stand
point of eighteenth century theories.
Those theories doubtless seemed ade-
ouate to a union OF thirteen infant col
onies. but thew are not adequate for a
giant nation of many States, OF com
pex interests. OF far-reaching and for
midable industrial combinations. The
State might deal with local stage line,
but it cannot well control a trans-con-
tinental railway. The State power
might suffice for few local factories
but the State cannot bride the Stand
ard Oil Trust. II we have got to re-
turn to the strict constructonst'
theories Of the Federal constitution, we
may as we'll resign all hope OF con
trolling the mighty Developments OF
modern civilization and commercial en-
terprisc But we will never return to
those theories Far-seeing statesmen
saw then, and practical statesmen see
now, that an effective Federal govern
ment must be clothed with power to
meet new conditions as they arise; and
further that to be effective it must be
centralized You cannot govern from
the edges, You want power at the cen
tre-whether it be mechanical power
or governmental power. That is about
what the doctrine OF "ccntralizcd gov
ernmcnt' means-effective power. And
the memorable logic OF events" has
been praduallv but certainly bringing
this TO pass. in spite of the splendid OBJ
position OF contendinp doctrinaircs.
And this logic Of events" has welded
susnicious and icalous State, into 4
mighty Nation. We ahatc nothing OF
DIR affection for MARYLAND when we
ayow orr HIGHEST and primary aIIcg-
lance TO these United States" We
are NOT offended hv some loss Of State
authority. when we are crrt,in that the
,;. ,r.1
our own e'laDlientd fedcraI govern
ment. No pcnnant must be nailed
above the Stars and Stripcs It is no
b1,,,. T., ,,., ,,.;Io g., ,.;,ll .,,,,atl,;.,,,
| WV = ','0 ~ .l'' ''''''' ,','''7
OF local authority Whcn we weld II
into our own larger and stronger hands
where it will be lust as natrioticalIv and
far more cffoct;yo1y rsod ior ",bo cam
'.'' NV, >'s ''.N,' va
mon veal ana inc genera welfare
Which simply brings us back to our
starting point that Capitalization of
arthcritv ;s only another w,y ~ sre11.
:. 'n,t,.:,.! ' ~ 49, ""' ~ 'p 30
ing eIec''Fe.'eSs' IN ''le carry DAYS
OF the constitutional debate diStln-
gushcd statesman said. we must Ell
ther have thirteen weak STATES or one
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