The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-07-07
The RIGHT OF PETITION
Has Been Denied the People of Oak
land by the School Commissioners.

Human liberties are the results of a
long and painful struggle for inherent
rights. Each victory won in asserting
humanity's rights and freeing the hui
man conscience has cost too much in
blood and treasure to be lightly treated
or bartered to the whim of the dema-
gogue, To say that our liberties are in
danger and are frequently trampled
upon by INSCRIPTIONS men who should
be their guardians is the expression of
truth familiar to all informed Ameri-
can citizens. Vested rights, "spe-
cial privileges, " political chicanery,
are a constant menace to free institu-
tons.
In democratic form of government
the people are the government, other
wise our boasted liberty Is a farce.
Officers elected by the ballots of a free
people are chosen to carry out the will
Of the sovereign people. The people
are not their servants, but they are the
servants of the people.
This being true the people must of
necessity have some way of making
known to their public servants what the
will Of the majority is. Back in the
early days of England when democracy
began to develop and monarchy and
despotism began to decay, 1.-THE right
of petition was recognized by the peo-
pie as the most effective way of bring
ing before their rulers a redress of
grievances or other demands for their
welfare, and often their wishes were
granted at the point of the bayonet.
America inherited this love of liberty,
and it is woven into the very fabric of
our national life. In the United States
the right of petition is secured by the
following words: Congress shall make
no law abridging the right of the people
to peaceably assemble and to petition
the Government for a redress of griev-
ances.
The first article in the Constitution of
Maryland says, that all Government
Of right originates from the people.
No man has any moral right in the
country to accept an office who is not
willing to abide by the will of the SOW
ereign people and who will not in the
capacity Of that Office do his utmost to
carry out the peoples expressed will.
1t is absolutely legitimate, fair and
honest to exact promises and get ex-
pressions from candidates for political
Office that we may vote intelligently
and know the intentions Of all such can
didates. The aspirant to office who re-
fuses to openly commit himself on vital
questions that the people may know in
advance Of the election how he stands is
not worthy to receive the vote Of free
people, neither should he expect it.
The same holds good IN all official
positions whether elective or appointive,
for back Of the appointive Office is some
where the electorate.
The same principles hold and are
worthy Of the same respect whether
the petition is to Congress, the State
Legislature, q School Board or the town
council to clean an alley or abate a
nuisance.
There is too much Of a tendency in
this country to assume that we are a
peaceful and liberty loving people,
therefore it is better to suffer and en-
dure than to have any trouble. Had
that spineless sentiment prevailed
Bunker Hill, Yorktown and Appomat-
toX would never have been heard of.
and the old liberty bell never have been
rung.
The American people need today to
assert and demand their rights as of
old, In Article 8 Of Maryland's Consti-
tuition we read: The doctrine Of non
resistance against arbitrary power and
oppression is absurd, slavish and de-
structiye Of the good and happiness Of
mankind.
This community has passed through
what is one of the most striking exam
pies Of its kind TO be found anywhere.
Ninety per cent of the voters and tax
payers honestly and in good faith pc
titioned their School Commissioners to
return to them a well tried, competent
and wholly acceptable principal of their
High School for the ensuing year.
This petition is scorned, ignored and
not given a decent consideration. The
act is all the more reprehensible be-
cause commissioners living outside the
interested community turn a deaf ear
to an almost universal demand.
If this action is right the Declaration
of Independence is wrong; if it is right
the Constitution of the United States is
farce and Maryland's Constitution a
pitifuI burlesque and human liberty
mere sham. But the action of the
commissioners is not right. Public
sentiment says it is not; common de-
cency says it is not; and no amount of
sophistry or imbecile explanation will
ever make it right in the public mind.
If petition is turned downed it is at