The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-11
Supreme Court Decision.

supreme Court DeclSIon. Very recently there has come from | the highest judicial tribunal in the | land a decision of vital interest and 1 concern to the American people. be- cause il has established a principle as stated by one member of the court which would work a radical change ia our governmental system and would in- augurate a new era in the American Judicial system and in the relations of the national and state governments It would enable the subordinate federal courts to supervise and control the of hcial action of the states as though they were dependencies or provinces. It would place the state of the Union IT. condition of inferiority never dreamed of when the constitution was adopted or when the 11th amendment was made part of the supreme law of the land. If this is the result of this decision. 1t is. to my mind, one of the unhappy incidents in the history of our republic. because the very theory of our government is based upon the right of the states to control absolutely their own domestic affairs.
 ''If then. our whole system of govern ment is changed. have We not only re- tarded the progress of the republic, but have We not gone back a century toward a centralized form of government which Is not to the advantage of the people? What this government needs is not more power. What it needs today is to so dis tribute the privileges under the govern ment that all citizens will have equal op- rortunity. America has been called the land of opportunity But American op- portunity should not mean a granting of special privileges to any class, but should afford all alike the means for culture, education, prosperity and contentment.
 Prosperous People.
 For nearly a century and a half America has presented to the world the spectacle of a happy, prosperous and intelligent people. maintaining a pure democracy founded upon their supreme will. The hallmark of democracy is that the powers of government are close to the people. Throughout the world, wher- ever democracy is advancing, it's progress is marked by greater measure of self government to each community. Will the American people turn to the setting rather than the rising sun? Shall we now, because some laws are found irksome by a class and interfere with their selfish aims. commence to deprive our sovereign states of that measure of home rule which until now they have seen fit to reserve to themselves? l cannot be- lieve it. Upon the contrary I believe that the limitations upon state and federal I governments, the nice balancing of the powers of each and the different depart ments in each, which have been so ef- ficacious in the past, will be maintained in their full vigor in the future.
 "Therefore, discharging all Of our responsibilities as citizens of coun- try. refusing to surrender our rights Of citizenship in any degree. let us so i've that heroism exemplifed on this and other American battlefelds may not be simply a tradition, and the national wis dom of our forefathers mere legend but that through us and those to come America will reach her full destiny In the permanent establishment of perfect union. which shall be not Tor today nor toroorrow hut forever and be so estab lished that it will be for all of the people. and that their government shall not perish"