Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1908-05-15
JOHNSON At SHILOH.
Minnesota Executive Makes Not
able Address.
QUESTION OF STATE RIGHTS.

Does Not Approve Of Commemorative
BEING Made Subservient to Inferior
Federal Courts-Would Uphold Con-
stitution.
Governor John A. Johnson Of Mime
sofa delivered at the dedication OF the
Minnesota monument OH Shiloh battle
field an address that will rank as one
Of the ablest public deliverances OF re-
cent times. Spoken on a battlefield
that may be taken IA the symbol Of the
great war for the Union. the governor
took occasion TO tell OF the peril that
threatens our federal form Of govern
ment This peril was emphasized by
the recent decision Of the supreme
court In the railway cases going up
from Minnesota and North Carolina.
which practically makes the state gov
ernments subservient TO the inferior
federal courts. The significance OF
these decisions Is widely understood.
and they have given rise to general
discussion OF the question OF the rights
of the states. and Governor Johnson's
speech will rank as an important con-
tribution to that discussion. The dedi
catory address In part follows:
Representing the people Of the COM
monwealth Of Minnesota. we are as
sembled on one Of the historic battle
fields OF the civil war TO pay our trib-
ute OF respect and affection to the
memory Of the sons of Minnesota who
here yielded up their lives that this
might continue TO be a united nation
Their sacrifice was not for personal
gain. but vas in response TO duty and
a contribution TO the civilization OF the
age and for the purpose Of perpetnat-
Inc the institution OF human liberty.
appreciate that nothing which ]
can say will add to or detract from
the glory OF their achievement. which
In itself is an enduring monument TO
the patriotism and heroism of the
American soldier. their sacrifice. how
ever. was not different from that which
has been made throughout all Of the
ages by those lovers Of liberty who be-
lIeye I'm government which might
give to all the people the right to life.
liberty apd property. The love OF
Ii. eriy was not born in this country o
ours. II was Graded along the Danube
and about the shores Of the Baltic.
even when Rome had reached the limit
of her imperial grandeur Increasing
In intensity with the passing OF the
centuries. II found its highest expires
sion in the older countries in the greai
English charter Of civil rights. Which
forever guaranteed TO the people OF
that land immunity nom the despotism
OF those who claimed To rule 10y virtue
Of Divine right
One hundred and thlrty-two years
ago the great contest OF humanity was
transferred from the old world to the
new. and here because OF the lsola'
ton OF this country. because or the
high character OF the man who es'
housed the cause OF liberty and be
cause OF the signal victory achieved
by them In that struggle. an opportu-
nity was afforded 10 crystalline into
written law the aspirations or the pa
triots OF ell the ages. The men who
built the foundations OF this govern
ment were those who had submitted
TO the supreme test Of patriotism. fof
those who inspired the constitution oil
the United States were the same who
had pledged their lives. their proper
ties and their sacred honor to the cause
| of Independence.
| While the primary object OF writ
ten constitution Is to define govern
mental powers ana 10 hliit bo'e'"
] mental departments, the overwhelming
necessity for such an instrument Is t(
prevent insldlous encroachments upor
the rights Of The individual citizen
both from those in office aud frou
those who by reason OF their wealth
and power have an influence fur great
er than that possessed by the averag'
citizen. And so the constitution or th'
| United States wa regarded by lt'
franlers as an instrument OF the mos
sacred import. IN alteration OF which
could 0uIy he made 10y the people tnem
selves. in whom al! ultimate power i
vested. and then only after the rules