The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-09-20
THE WEEKLY JOURNAL. Issued Thursday. One Dollar a Year.
CONTRA STING SPEECHES.

No speeches delivered in recent days present so fully the opposing political principles of this country as those of President Roosevelt and Alton B. Par ker. The loose and strict construction views of the constitution are seen in these speeches. These diverging views have always been at the root of legiti- mate national party differences in the United States About these groups of views determined by the political atti- tude of mind toward the constitution all the great struggles at issue have been waged.
 On the one side it is held that the constitution is a very broad document and by liberal in depreciation the powers of the executive may be extended as exigencies arise. In policy strong central government is regarded as better than the various states, quite diverse In some instances in laws, for the purpose of meeting the problems peculiar to the time. On the other hand any effort to stretch the consti- tuition is jealously watched and it is maintained that the States have not vet had opportunity to test their pow CTS to deal with new situations pre- senting themselves, but are fully able to do their full duty. The old ques- ton of States rights which was fought out on the political plane is again present for a testing on the industrial plane. The main situation that has brought to the front the particular problems is the encroachment of pow erful corporations on public rights. It is held that the States are practically powerless to deal with this situation because the problems to be dealt with are interstate, and only the federal government can effectually deal with them.
 Tn his speech Tuesday. at the 12oth anniversary of the adoption of the federal constitution, at Norfolk, Vir- ginia, Alton B. Parker passed strong strictures on the present trend toward
 A.otsaa+tor T1,o constitution oc relates to interstate commerce was conceived, he declares, In "a spirit of fairness and equality between the States" Here Is seen the feeling that any trespass on any privilege or prerog- ative of any State must be taken with caution. When once the way is open for the federal control of any product believed to be subject to interstate reg ulation, the way is open to all. Tn the adjustment going on between what properly belongs to the federal pow CTS and what is reserved to the States a very delicate problem is raised. By what principle can 1t be fairly determ- ined what is properly within federal functions?
 Alton B. Parker alone is not raising a warning voice. Senator J. B. For aker of Ohio, in his address at Hill boro of that State speaks of the chaf1ng against the restraints of the constitution. "There is now abroad in the land" he says, "a widespread and dangerous sense, not only of impati- ence with the restraints of the consti- tuition, but of positive purpose to dis regard, violate and overthrow them if they cannot otherwise be evaded." :" Here is a charge that is serious, if really there is anyone who entertains a positive purpose" to overthrow the restraints of the constitution. There is indeed a general unconcern in some quarters about the strict construction of constitutional provision. But to openly work for the overthrow of any portion of the constitution, as provok- ed by impatience, would be the begin ming of the end of 1t,
 "The great purpose of the constitu- tional barriers" continues Senator Foraker, Ifs to resist storms of pas sion and protect against unreasonine sentiment in times of undue excite ment." In other words the object oi the constitutional provisions was to give assurance of stability in public affairs and to maintain sense of se- curity on the part of the people. ii there is a condition of unrest it is req sonable to suppose that this sense ot security is impaired. No one knows what wider interpretation of the measures of the constitution will be taken next As rapidly as any con- siderable part or all nf affairs over which the States have control are as' sumed by the federal government, the condition of unrest to which Alton B