The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-12

fences, trusting to their own resources to find a way to avoid it, then to run the unknown risks involved In experiments by federal agencies with new and untried powers.
 Deliberative Changes.
 "When the people wish the constitu- tion changed, they will surely change 1t Slems.elves as they have always done, but they will take the time and Ifse the delib- artion they have themselves provided to guard against nasty and inconsiderate ac- tion. The constitution had to be and was adopted by the people of all the states. Each of the mconsented to be bound by amendments adopted by less than all but only on condition that they be made in the manner agreed on by all.
 Meanwhile, the people need officials who will serve them with zeal and with fidelity to the trusts confided, which covers the limitations as well as the duties of their trusts. They need leaders to study and propose and to advocate law full measures for their good But they do not need guardians
 "A popular government must, from It's nature, often be less prompt and effective than one with greater powers and con- centration and fewer restraints, but our people have preferred the broader indi vdual freedom It affords because the
 
 al liberty and diminish as official expense and interference multiply.
 The people of the various states diff fer somewhat in their needs, ideas and methods, but this only discloses the indi- viduality which makes them true com monwealths-the sovereign many which, with gems from their own diadems crowned the sovereign one. The spirit of comity has done much, and is constant lxy aIn fnf al fnr U where 1t Is found desirable because of closer commercial relation or other req sons. But federal authority does not eX tend to any subject merely because inter- est in it becomes more general And know your people do not consider repre- sentatives from Maine or Oregon any bet ter qualified to take part in the control of their affairs because they travel to Washington in Pullman instead of stage coaches, and find more and fresher items of Kentucky news in the papers.
 No Trespasslng.
 Our very prosperity has brought about or perhaps rather magnified and disclosed, many things which must be eliminated or corrected. But I am not convinced that 1t would be better to have all our chop ping and pruning done with one big aX even if license were given In due form.
  ing, no matter how benefcient the pur- pose for 1t Is a maxim as old as the law that while bad motives may make an un- lawful act worse, no amount of good mo- tiVes can ever make 1t right.
 ''1'he term states rights no longer im- plies, as for time it did, wish to deny or undulY restrict federal powers. On the contrary, one of the rights of the people of the states which has come to be most l.. ia f,, hnt hn federal N- ernment employ the authority transferred to 1t so that the ends in view may be accomplished, because it now has sole jurisdiction of the subjects placed In its charge. It is a trustee in perpetuity, and the states and their people are the sole benehciares.
 So the instrument creating the trust Is to be fairly read, as the language Of q practical people. in order to further ani not defeat in whole or in part, the pur- poses it /hcloses The authority 1t gives does nok&hange, though it is to be de- veloped and appked as the fullment of those purposes from time to time requires, subject to the restrictions expressed, or implied from the structure and nature or our government But 1t would be better to have no constitution at all if it's care fully chosen terms are to be Ignored or twisted and stretched out of shape by those who are sworn 10 upnpiu It, Wheh- ever 1t stands in their way, because we might then work out some othe- plan Tor restraining and controlling those we in- trust with authority over us. instead or drifting along under the deiusion that We already have one.
 .It Is not always easy to hold the course marked by the old familiar stars when difficulties appear and men with brilliant nashlightr invite to ways which they are sure will prove shorter and better. But if we are to yield to the temptation to folloiw them, we must promptly throw ofr our accustomed sense of security, so that whatever befalls we shall at least not be taken unaWares"