The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-11-22
TIE REPUBLICAN PARTY ]
AND THE CONSTITUTION
Continued From Page One.
Section Two.)

StitutfOnaI government with the trans
cendent qualities of durability and
praponderance. BY this means it has
revealed the nature and consumma-
ton of 1T Government by the people
il entitled to the first rank and that
the republican party has given it. But
what is the mystery of its process?
This feat in politics had been essayed
ever since civilization began, but not
until the republican succeeded the
democratic party in this country was
there a realization Of it. This is the
golden age of constitutional govern
ment and the thought and activities
of the world testify that it is. In the
most unexpected quarters there are
manifestations of the people clamor-
ing for the privileges that constitu-
tons grant There is, of course,
very potent reason for this. People
are not reused to desperation except
by unusual or extraordinary oppres-
sion or by witne ssing some startling
display of power in others.
In this instance they are dazzled by
the popular glory of the United States.
In almost every phase of civilization
10 10 seen and felt and the more effec-
lively in the better parts OF 1t. There
is but one explanation of this, and
that is the dominant party's interpre-
tation of our national constitution. 1t
Is the same law, excepting the amend
ments touching the freedmen, that 1t
was when the democracy ruled. But
how different is the course Of its OPP
Grafton. How different, too, the re-
suits or evidences of it's Jurisdiction.
To judge by these one might think
the republican party had given us an
entirely new fundamental measure.
It's Interpretation OF it differs from
that of the democratic party-that is
ALL So 1T isn't altogether what is
done, but very largely the way 1t is
done, that counts. When the repub-
lican party came into power 1t revers
ed the whole order Of procedure on
constitutional grounds. And since
then 1t has done things in an original
and q new way.
Above all things, and peculiarly. the
republican party, is constitutional 1t
Is the instrument of execution for the
constitution just as the latter is the
instrument Of government. Yet the
democratic party did not treat the ma
tional constitution as fundamental
law OF government. If it had the law
would have been responsive and the
lished the reputation of conservative
and not destructive force in politics.
While the democratic party rebelled
against the constitution, there was re-
bellion manifest in the law against
the party. But to the application
made OF it by the republican party
it yields easy and ready response.
That IL the result of agreement in
principle or theory. The republican
party has ever been actuated by the
idea of an absolutely Independent and
supreme nation. All it's protective
measures, both civil and military, are
for this high purpose.
That this is also the intent OF the
sumo to deny. The party, you see,
and the chart by which 1t operates are
one in sentiment. That is the secret
OF our imposing nationality. The re-
publican party hasn't materially
changed the constitution nor does it
want to change it, but 1t has supple
mented it by friendly and favorable
laws that have endowed 1t with re-
nown and power unprecedented. 1t
has comprehended the constitution
and promulgated policy directly in
line with it. But it does not under
stand that it is fundamental tenet
with this nation to dissipate its pow
ers. It's principle of activity is a
mightier and more imposing govern
ment. That is its ideal of popularity
For Is not this nation In which the
people are gigantic? Nationality with
us Is but the expression of the peo-
pies will and genius.
There is no alarm felt at the en-
phasis of this. You can not we'll en-
danger republic by the augmenta-
ton of the popular power in it. That
is really the calvation of it. And 1T
is right. In the domain of republican
government the people should be auto
cratic. But there is no way to popu-
lar autocracy except by the central
ization of constitutional prerogatives.
Straight on that line the republican
party has acted. 1t has been compre-
hensive and compressive. 1t has been
the greatest conservator OF national
power ever employed by the people.
1t has made the American constitu-
ton the central luminary in its sphere
which Is the sphere of the people.