The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-02-01
WE ARE a NATION

WE ARE a NATION
A century and score of years ago
thirteen little nations formed a copart-
nership. In the articles Of confedera-
ton they provided with the utmost wis
dom for many things then present and
torethought Tor many other things in
the distant future. The constitution Of
the United States lis in many respects
one of the most wonderful documents
ever made by man.
But even before that constitution was
ratified by the different states, trouble
began to arise over the status of the
states. The smaller states we're jealous
of the puohable,or possible aggressions
of the larger ones and there was always
deep seated and pessimistic fear that
any Capitalization Of power would lead
to the destruction of the Republican
form Of government and the setting up
of q monarchy.
The politics Of all the earlier years of
this coumry'ss existence were largely
biased on the question of "state rights"
and at last eliminated in the Civil war
where that question was fought out to
finish; that being the only solution, as
the founders of the government had
neglected or failed to provide for the
final and supreme authority of the ma
jority in the whole country, as they had
SO admirably done in the case Of the in
dividnal states.
But, though that war was fought over
the question as to whether this was a
nation, or whether it was composed of
fragments, any of which at any time
might separate from the parent body; as
yet the result ct that war has never
been put in words and added to the con-
stitution.
"Uninn forever, one and idissoluble''
is but yeta sentiment of the stump
speaker, but the time is fast approach
ing that it will have to he made, mat
ter Of the law.
The black cloud of slavery made the
question Of state rights to be fought
out with bullets and bayonets. There
is "a yellow cloud rising in the west no
larger now than . mans hand" and no
man knows whether in time the states
Of the Pacific coast will not he ready to
withdraw from the Union, even if they
have to fight their way out.
Three states Of the Union are ruled to
greater of; lesser degree by the nnclean-
ness Of NoFmonism. That church was
raised on disloyalty and no one believes
them now any better than their fathers
and teachers. What will the union do
if these defy the authority Of the whole
country openly, as they are now doing
secretly.
Since the hundred and twenty odd
years Of union as 8 nation, steam and
electricity have been welding bonds
closer and closer about us,-and il is
time that W. said il words, iin the con
stitution 81 the United States that We
are a Nation. II ought to be under
stood bysyery state that over all and
over each Is The; law of the nation. That
when necessary that the congress may
step in and make uniform laws that
shall govern each and every 3citizen.I
And that some sof these laws are mar.
rage and divorce, Rovernment of cor
lporations the liquor traffic .immii ationl,tt
equal rights Tor black white, red and
yellow, he voting franch hiae md citizen
sship. and many others. 5S5s
These ~ must come and, III would beS
Iabettar toSsettle this doetrine nov rather
than Klait mt i some { lssuhiiect 81 Siid
lslay!sS!yI5i II \ epai & staa THE eople into pre-
l|jhd1icsd ions hhiich 4 cannot possibly