Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-09-18
PARKER ON STATES RIGHTS
Former Candidate Speaks at Consti-
tutional Anniversary.
CENTRALIZED POWER FEARED
He Says Executive Plans TO Override
Constitution and that steps
should He Taken to Pre-
vent IL.
ALLIED POWER FEARED

NORFOLK, Va, Sept. 17.-Judge Alton
b. Parker of New York, former democratic
candidate for president, and Samuel w.
Mccall, member of congress from Massa-
chusetts, made the principal addresses at
the constitutional day celebration at the
jamestown exposition today The cere-
monies were in commemoration of the 10th
anniversary of the adoption of the federal
constitution by the constitutional conven-
ton Of 1857 over which George Washing
ton presided The weather was ideal and
the attendance large.
Judge Parker was at his best and spoke
with great fervor and earnestness. He
said in part:
In view of the president, the federal gov
ernment needs an increase OF power-needs
power which was deliberately retained by
the states and the people when the nauonal
government. was created. True there is
way to transfer that power from the states
to the federal government II the people
wish It, but ii may well be that no amount
of labor would persuade the people or che
states to surrender their home rule powers
in sufficient measure to meet the views OF
the executive as to the national necessity.
These considerations may have had weight
in determining his announced purpose to
obtain an increase of the federal power
now, not through the action OF the people,
but through the action of the three depart
ments of government.
The states and the people undertook by
the constitution to fix the boundaries OF
each OF the great departments of govern
ment beyond which neither could pass
Upon the executive no legislative or judicial
power was conferred, but he was charged
TO take care that the laws be faithfully
executed" and to protect and defend the
constitution" BY what process of reason
ing the executive has reached the conclu-
sion that for the various departments of
the federal government to sieZe power not
granted by the states and the people Is to
protect and defend the constitution
know not. That he must have reached II
by some route, his character as a man, his
career as official and the boldness of
! his advocacy attest. He Is not attempting
to acquire power by deceiving the people.
| With perfect frankpess he states what he
| thinks ought to be done and how he pro-
/ poses il shall be done.
! Assaults of New Federnlists.
! With equal franknesS those of us who
love the constitution and revere not alone
the memory, but the wisdom of It's franz
ers who believe that the powers were
wisely distributed between the states and
/ the federal government, and deem that
| all past history proves 1t, should speak
to study the history and the genesis OF
the constitution. Hence, they have nc
adequate conception of the perils the
trainers sought to avoid by keeping the
power to add to or take from the powers
granted to the several departments of the
government, in the exclusive possession
| and control of the people They are there.
fore, naturally inclined to be impressed
! with the suggestion that the constitution
did very well when 1t was made, but that
we have outgrown It, and hence the rep.
resentatives of government and not the
people may as well change 1t at theiI
pleasure.
| IL, then, there were no immediate dan
ger of an effective seizure of powers, we
lshould, to protect the future. meet the
assaults OF the new federalists with ar
equal vigor. They steadily at worh
teaching and preaching the doctrines. OF
their sect. So those opposed to theii
views should sacrifice any party feeling
and interests and enter the lists oper
champions of our constitutional system II
it's integrity. The time to do IT Is now
Some other year-aye, even next year.
may be too late
Mr.. Mccall who followed, discussed the
relation between federal and state officials
and declared: 1T seems now unlikely
that the national government may attemp
to devour the states"