Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-07-26
IRE RIGHTS
IND NATIONALISM
.,oo George Gray.)

In
one sovereign people, IN
:, the peoples of the seVerai
what is hoped to be accom-
do not know by the fashion
'.ood within comparatively re-
,,nes of Jpeaking of the United
n the slnglar number and
30 the plain indication OF the
90 employed in the constitu-
'solf that the United States are
~ and not unitary; plural and
iii sngular. soo.s
,orv cannot be thus contradicted
cir significance obscured. Such
foctjon is not necessary to en-
tbe truth, which calm and dis
Dnate exposition has abundantiy
lI.bed. that in the practical par
of power between the states
sderal government has plenary
10 govern our intercourse with
LutsIde world, and may do ana
IN all those acts and things
are really necessary for our
ordent existence in the family
,,ons For all practical pur-
that power is national.
Tho scheme of government thus
1isbed there is no place for alb
Ism. Arbitrary power is every
checked. even should its exer-
l. attempted by the people them
Much more is It denied to and
held from the mere govern
III agencies that have been es-
\ &bed. The fathers who framed
constitution had a keen reallza-
\ Of the hatefulness OF arbitrary
r and they took care that no
hhaA
should be found for its exer-
in the frame of the government
n were about to erect.
4 arbitrary power less hateful now
a then TO the people of this coun-
II not, let us remember that
Nan only preserve ourselves from
Aaleful sway by keeping alive In
breasts of the men of today the
ments that animated their IA
and the hatred of tyranny and
blutlsm from whatever source II
bgs.
sellngs OF Just and patriotic pride
bur hearts as we turn the pages
ur diplomatic history and read
American conscience and Amer
altrulsm have measurably raised
Standards Of international moral
Ind strengthened the moral sane
OF International law.
constitution which has enabled
10 occup so high a place In the
ily Of nations and has clothed our
|ernment with every national at
! ute necessary for the assertion OF
self-respect at home and abroad
hs no amendment In the direction
Increased powers that would de-
py the balance between them and
be reserved by the states.
But II would be idle TO close our
TO the fact that there are many
d people in this country TO whom
Enlargement OF this national pow
seems attractive, and who would
lsfer to the general government
by of the responsibilities and
les which have from the begin
been recognized as belonging to
local government and sovereign
of the states. 1t has been more
q suggested that this enlargement
federal power should take place
he result OF judicial action, and
by some OF those subtle refine
us OF which the human mind Is
ays capable and to which human
'uage is always amenable We may
lie and aggrandize a national gov
nent that would strip the states
much of their reserved sovereign
The greatest blessing of our sys-
OF government in the past has
that the people of the states, as
'rate bodies polite, have been
Ipelled to develop their capacity
seli-goyernment and provide, by
u own civic activity, for the
lihtul exercise of those great po-
powers upon which the we'll be-
aud safety OF the individual and
ne community must depend.
ne danger Of this centralizing SEN
mt is that it appeals TO the self
ess Of human nature and TO the
10 be relieved Of the hur-
and responsibilities OF self-gov-
Aent. But I am persuaded that
prevailing sentiment of the
'Fiean people does not favor the
'ange Of our self-governed com
lues and the individual liberty