The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-02-24
d.. Mneg' Nsrvine

the house Of lords is ever successful.
a struggle between the radical democ-
racy Of the people and the crown will
be inaugurated, which viii end in An
absolute monarchy, supported by the
wealth. the substantial business inter-
ests, and the constructive statesmen
Of England, who will ind In such q
form Of government their only protec-
ton from the extremists who may de-
stroy but cannot construct.
= Our states are the ark Of tho cove
nant Of the peoples liberties. a. the
barons in feudal days were the pro-
tectors Of the rights Of the English
people from the aggression Of despotic
rulers.
Not Afraid Of People.
A strong ambitious ruler who wants
to make himself an absolute monarch,
IL never afraid Of the people, or de-
TERED by them from carrying out his
coup d'etat. The nobility or an inter
mediate body like the Roman senate. Or
the state Of this Union, are the guar
antors of the liberties Of the people,
and not the people themselves. When
Caesar was about to assume tho king
ly crown, 1T was the nobility and not
the people who prevented him.
England, the most conservative ana
freest government on the globe, owes
her great liberties, not to any struggle
Of the masses, but to the barons who
wrested from the crown the great
charters upon which British liberty
was constructed.
William the CcnQueror saw that II
he was to become the absolute ruler
his ambition coveted, he must destroy
the power Of the barons, to whom the
vassals swore and owed allegiance, and
one of his first steps to establish him
self al an absolute monarch was to re-
Quire the oath Of fealty to Be made to
himself without any reservation or ex-
ception. Had this condition long con-
tinued. It would have fixed the status
Of the English government as an un-
mitigated despotism, benevolent at
times perhaps. but Q despotism never
theless.
The coming Of John to the throne
was another Of those uncomfortable
events in the history Of . nation, which
shape and control its destinies. His
title to the crown was defective, II not
absolutely spurious; and his ncentious-
ness and cruelty, made him an object
Of loathing. It has been said that:
1.-THE character Of John. his dissimu-
lation, rashness. and pusiIlanimity, his
treachsry and weakness, all conspired
to render him just the very king. 20
all appearances sent for the purpose Of
granting the great charter"
Had John been a good ruler, the
granting OF tho great charter might
have been Indefinitely delayed. ana the
story Of Runnymede would have been
the story Of Appomattox.
The barons who demanded for the
people guarantees for their liberties,
would have gone down in defeat, and
the British government instead Of
being the home Of the greatest personal
and political liberty. would have been
q centralized despotism even a. the
sovereignty Of the states, the deposit
taries Of the liberties Of tho people,
was swallowed up beneath that bud
ding apple tree at Appomattox, and
this country hastened on to its pre-
destined career Of absolutism.
Az Johns weakness. cruelty AMI
pusillanimity made him 'tust the very
30 Marshall's masterful intellect, his
noble character. his unswerving integ-
rity and courage made him just the
very Judge sent to change the form
Of our government from one Of re-
served rights IN the states, to one In
which the general government could
centralfze all power In itself. By his
doctrine Of Implied power"
When the ambition Of Louis H tf
Franc. led him to usurp all the power
Of government, he frst sought 20
weaken the nobility. His kingdom
was divided into Appanages, each Of
which had its chief or head who con-
trolled the people. and to whom they
gave allegiance. Louis, jealous of
their power, and ambitious to be the
only head. sought their downfall, and
by that potent and never old policy he
enlisted the people on his side by pre-
tending that he meant to free them
from the thraldom Of ducal control.
The ducties were destroyed, but in
stead Of greater liberty. the necks of
the people were bent to the yoke Of a
cruel despot Louis N added to the
greatness Of France by his oentraliza-
| ton Of power In himself. but he sorely
oppressed the people.
One historian has said Of France at
this time that our internal govern
msnt was no doubt oppressive but