The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1909-02-01
DRIFTING TOWARD UNSEEN
DANGERS.

ORNOthSs
Editor Robinson OF the Waco Times
Herald is one Of the most consistent
and intrepid disciples OF Thomas JEFF /
ferson ia the state OF Texas. and be
licving that the essential principles
Of this great apostle Of human liberty
and exponent Of the doctrines Of free
government are embodied in the con
sututiou and bill Of rights, be makes
no bones Of Haunting these I'm the
face Of every movement which insidu-
ously seeks 10 undermine their bind.
ing force and effect upon the country.
In pursuance Of this duty, which he
rightly feels IS incumbent upon him
as a "moldor OF public opinion" he
IS constantly drawing The fire Of some
of his brethren OF the press who eth
or do not hold the teachings Of JEFF
fcrson in as much ycucration as him
self or else have lost their bearings
and are pursuing igu's fatui that lead
away from safe government
In replying 10 one OF these critics,
who charged that "whcu q law is p.n-
posed for the bcttcrmont OF mankind
1t is at once declared undemocratic.
I unconstitutional. unnecessary, and
/ unwisc' by the editor of the Waco
/ Timcs.Herald the latter in a pointed
! editorial makes rcioinor IN part as
I follows:
THE curse Of the ages-tho breed.
ing ground of all dospOtism-has been
/ law for the betterment Of mankind.
Every system Of kingly and aristo-
cratic government; every piece of
I tyranny which this old world has
known, got its start in the better
mcnt OF mankind philosophy and
practice. Some one has said that
Thomas jefferson wrote the univcrs
al law Of civilized society in just
seven words: That government is
best which governs least DID Jeffer
son i-ycnt that? Oh no. he inherited
It from our Saxon ancestors who left
their native wilds and woods In the
north of Europe that they might
make good on the principle so aptly
stated by the great philosopher OF the
) Ninctccuth century. Herbert Spencer
Every man has freedom to do all that
he Wills, provided he does not infringe
the equal freedom Of every Other
man Magma Charta. the bill OF
rights. the Declaration Of Independ
oncc. and the first thirteen amend
+ ments 10 the constitution, are all pro
, tests against laws for the bettermen
, of mankind The constitution as
r originally drawn was distinct dis
appointment to the lovers OF liberty
and hence those amendments which
Mr.. jefferson thought essential tC
, preserve to the people their freedom
their protection from the fellows
who would pass laws for the better
mcnt of mankind
That the faith of the masses in fun
damental principles of government. al
taught and practiced by the founders
Of the Republic is being gradually
undermined by the insiduous teach
ings Of those who in reality believe II
paternal government is patent tC
everyone at all conversaYt with the
country's early history who has oh
served the trend Of modern legisla
tion. Whatever the motive behint
such legislation. It is always present
ed to the public when it becomes nee
cssary to enlist their support in its be
half as but new adaptation OF ole
principles to changed conditions, i'm
, peraiively demanded for the public
good I'm this way so many are beinl
deceived that there is grave dangeI
of the republic drifting so far from
its ancient moorings that II will neve
reach the haven for which the faith
crs destined it.-POst.