The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1909-09-03

Rome. these are all true executive
offices, however humble their grade;
hence. taking The Hague conference
as the germ of world legislature,
which can be made out very plausi-
bly,. 1t appears that there is already in
existence the beginning of each of the
three departments essential to a fully
equipped political body. the legislative,
the judicial and the executive. These
will doubtless have their full weight I'm
the coming discussion.
True World Legislature.
What gives practical aspect to the
Stockholm program Is the fact that
the interparliamentary union Is com
mitted TO something very much like a
propaganda for world political organ
ization. 1t presented to the second
Hague conference request that 1t
proceed to call a third conference, and
that action was taken with this idea
that out of these conferences of dele
gates to an official international gath
ering, expressing the will OF the ma
tions, which. when ratified by the
home governments. becomes the form
al will Of the world, would be devel-
oped the true world legislature, and
this, after due process Of development,
would have methods and authority of a
legislative body. 1t is recognized that
the nations are merely feeling their
way to this solution Of the problem Of
world unity. On the part Of the men
taking part in the conferences the dis
position is not to rush natural progress
of events, but to recognize the true
nature Of what Is In progress and to
promote it.
Idea Advanced In America.
Much has been done In the United
States to advance this idea Of world
political unity. Perhaps the Mohonk
platforms have been most conspicuous,
representative and authoritative. But
lhe Massachusetts Legislature in 1908.
Sollowing beginning in 1902. adopted
unanimously in each branch resolu-
tions for regular international con-
gress. Eminent Endorsement of the
idea was made soon after by leading
Pennsylvania jurists and business
men. The Universal Peace union has
favored it, The American Peace So
ciety has been at the front Of the ef-
fort. The National Congregational
council gave 1t its formal approval.
and several religious bodies adopted
resolutions In its favor.
s,xtx I{s,, xer s%u
session at st. Louis In September. 1904,
gave strong approval and really took
the initiative toward calling the second
Hague conference. The Massachusetts
state board of trade indorsed 1t unani-
mously. The Greenacre fellowship
urged support of the United States del
egation at The Hague in 1907. In
stances might be named further where
the idea has received support In the
United States.
While this movement has been taken
up and emphasized by the leaders In
the peace movement It did not origi-
nate there. but as phase of world
politics. 1t Is true that the peace peo-
pie now believe that their cause can be
best promoted by discussion Of the po-
litical organization Of the world. but in
the nature Of the movement there is
no reason why men who believe In
arms as a means Of securing peace be-
tween nations should not join In the
effort to secure a system Of world
courts which will make wars impossi-
BILE and will further organise legisla-
tive and executive departments for
promotion OF general welfare. But
whatever the outcome of the discus
sion and whatever Of future impor-
tance is wrapped up In the proposed
program. 1t is for the first time def.
nitely announced that a great interna-
tionai gathering will discuss for Its
main subject the organization Of the
human race as single political body
Boston Cor. New York Post.