Evening star., 1909-02-22

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not destroying. but transcending mere To-
cal attachments. The patriotic feeling o,
a united people rejoicing in their com
mon country animates us in north. south
east and west, and a free intercourse has
developed a mutual sympathy and a ca
pacity for understanding each other
positions and difficulties even in matters
in which there is not complete accord
No state or section can claim TO outriva
any other state or section in love OF the
flag or in devotion TO the nation
Washington asked. is there doub'
whether a common government can en-
brace so large a sphere? and answered
Let experience solve it. To listen to mere
speculation in such a case were criminal
We are authorized to hope that "A proper
organization of the whole. with the aux
Hilary agency OF governments for the re-
spective subdivisions, will afford happy
issue to the experiment.
Tending to Closer Harmony.
The closer relations and more intimate
intercourse of our people tend to bring
about greater harmony in state legislation
and administration. Similar needs will
suggest the Importance of similar RENE
dies. and Interchange of opinions will have
important influence I'm shaping common
policies. The diminution of sectional Jedi-
ouses and the transfer of the rivalries OF
the states to the field of efficient govern
ment will greatly promote a suitable CO.
operation. The recent conference of gov
crnors called by President Roosevelt 10
emphasize the Importance OF conserving
orr national resources will stimulate TINS
tendency, and without change in our con-
Nti ifrla at Cenpr-
ally take counsel of each other and Will
aim to perfect their administration alonS
similar lines. On the other hand. the
powerful Influences, sentimental and un-
sentimental, which promote national unity
make easier the work of the national ad-
ministration, while its activities expand.
So that despite our growth we may still
hope with Washington that the expert
ment of d common government over so
large sphere will have happy issue.
and our experience since his day may
justly make us more confident of the fu-
ture.
His Wishes Realized.
Washington warned his countrymen
against the insidious wiles of foreign IN
huence' and against entangling our peace
and prosperity in the tolls of European
ambition, rivalship. interest. humor or
caprice He advised an honest diplomacy
tional obligations. He desired that there
should be cultivated an American charac-
ter SO that the powers of Europe should
he convinced that we act for ourselves
and not for Others, and that In this way
through abstaining from partisanship we
should be respected abroad and happy at
home. The perpleXing situations which
gave point to his counSels are familiar to
all students of our history. How intense
would have been his gratific alton could he
have foreseen to how large a degree his
advice would be followed and his hopes
realized. We have developed the 'Ameri-
can character which he desired, and we
enjoy our own place place of unsur-
passed power and inf1uence-but none the
less an Independent place-among the ma
tions of the earth. Washington could not
foresee how small the world was to be-
come through facility OF communication.
or the new problems which were to arise.
1t Is within few years that We assumed
unexpected responsibilities as the result
of the war with Spain.
But the progress has left unsullied the
honor of our diplomacy. and the best ira
ditions OF the republic. shaped by our
ablest men. and our country's influence for
its own and the worlds peace have been
maintained with conspicuous ability and
highmindedness in these last days through
the services of Hay and Root.
Respect of the Laws.
washington inculcated respect for
the Constitution and the laws. He said.
referring to the government: Respect
for its authority, compliance with its
laws acquiescence in its measures. are
duties enjoined by the fundamental max
inns OF true liberty. The basis of our
political systems Is the right Of the peo-
pie to make and to alter their constitu-
tion which at any time exists, till changed
by an yeTpicit and authentic act of the
whole people. is sacrediy obligatory upon
all
The due administration OF Justice
said Washington. is the firmest pillar Of
good government There is no sIIrer
sign Of a tendency threatening to under
mine free institutions than, hostility to
the orderly. processes of the courts The
loyal acceptance of the decisions OF those
who have been chosen as the arbiters of
our judicial controversies is essential to
stable government. Dissatisfaction with
the law as interpreted by those duly ap-
pointed for the purpose should be ex-
pressed In a suitable effort to amend the
law.
Not Founded on Fear.
Respect for the courts. however in a
free community such as ours must find
its support, not in a sentiment of fear
or in awe of rulers, but in an intelligent
appreciation of the necessity of the
peaceful and orderly arbitrament of diff
ferences and in the maintenance of ju-
dlclal authority as an essential safeguard
OF public and private rights. This ap-
probation the American people generally
have. and there could be no more strik-
ing proof OF ii than their attitude toward
judicial decisions No branch of the ad-
minisfration to SO large a degree enjoys
immunity from criticism.
Not Misled by Confidence.
Washington was not misled by conf
dence in mere form of government. He
realized that it was vain to expect politi-
cal prosperity without religion and moral
ity, which he regarded as its indispensa-
bic supporters Said he: Whatever may
be conceded to the influence of refined
education on minds of peculiar structure
reason and experience both forbid us to
expect that national morality can prevail
III exclusion of religious principle The
material advantages of our modern life
have not stif1ed the conscience Of the
people. and the religious principle which
is not to be confused with particular dog
ma. continues to exert its beneficent in
huence. under conditions of perfect tolera-
ton and mutual respect.
We cannot be blind to the evils that
shlict society. nor can We ignore the de-
grading and corupting influence which
unfortunately exists But with each
decade counteracting agencies multiply
Let us address ourselves with re-
newed zeal to the tasks Of our genera
uon. Let us Stoutly resist every debasing
tendency of our times, not with sullen
discomfort, feeling that We have fallen
upon evil days. but with just considera-
1ion OF the moral responsiveness of the