The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-07-10
THE DEMAND FOR REFORM

To the observing and thoughtful citi-
zen there can be no doubt Of the crying
demand for reform in the administra-
ton of the Government. We have
been drifting ever since the war between
the States farther and farther from the
land marks established by the Consti-
tuition. The primary object in the for
nation Of this government was to guar
antee the entire independence, and the
rights of each and every individual
citizen. This is inclusively shown in
both the Declaration Of Independence
and in the Constitution adopted after
the war made us free and independent
nation
This happy State was sacredly pre-
served up TO the war Of 1860 Since 1860
marked change in the administration
OF the Government has taken place
The constant and clearly defined ten
deucy has been to violate and ignore
both the letter and spirit of he Decla-
ration of Independence and of the Con-
stitution
OF course We are great people aud
ours is a great country, and we have
every right to be pround of our country
and our people
But we must not forget that God
made us great people and blessed Us
with great heritage Our great coun-
try and this great people is not due to
the Republican party, nor to the Dem
ocratic party, but, is due, under the
Providence of God, TO the free lnstitu-
lions established by our forefathers.
and the intrinsic greatness of this great
and free people. Ii is well enough to
applaud the United States as a country.
but the thing every patriot should most
loudly applaud, is the freedom and
the individuality of each man and
woman, guaranteed by the Conslitu-
ton. We should emphasize above all
other considerations the fact that this
government is the government of each
man and woman, and that each has an
equal righ, TO all its rights, privileges
aud protection The individuality of
the citizen is rapidly being los, sight Of
in the present dangerous tendency. The
executive department seems to assume
the airs, powers and prerogatories of a
monarchy, and often of an absolutism.
This tendency has been so marked in
the present administration as TO have
excited alarm even in the Republican
party, under which this tendency was
revived, if not first adopted. The two
Houses OF Congress have been formed
into two oligarchies, the one ruled alb
solutely by Aldrich, aud the House of
Representatives by Speaker Cannon.
The Judicial department not only sells
TO decide the law, which was its only
pewer given by the Constitution, but it
goes further aud seeks to decide what
it thinks the cases ought to be. As an
illustration of this the federal Courts
have established a law of their own
making known as injunctions for con-
tempt of Court, by which they can i'm
prison any man they may see fit. Hav-
ing done this, the cry il raised that the
people must not criticise the Courts.
Let US bear in mind just here that Mr..
Jefferson said If the liberties of this
country were ever lost it Would be
through the Courts. II seems to us we
have taken long step in that direc-
ton. Why not criticise the Courts?
Are they Immaculate? The moment
the right of the people to criticise
Court or judge is lost, the liberty of
the people il In jeopardy. The only
safeguard against any public officer is
the watchfuness of the people. The
people directly or Indirectly create the
Courts and appoint the judges, and the
power that creates must forever retain
the power TO criticise and do wrong.
Eternal vigilance is the price of
liberty" There is demand of our re-
form in every department of the Gov
eminent, az it has been administered
by the Republican party for forty years.
The only hope of reform is to defeat the
Republican party at this election. 1t
is said no party is ever reformed within
itself, but must be reformed from with
out. Reform can only come from the
election of the Democratic ticket.