Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-10-12
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Initiative. referendum aud recall
were termed the weapons of mobocracy
by Archbishop Ireland in an address 1T
the banquet of the Army of the Ten
nessee at Council Bluffs, Iowa, last
pight. "The clamor now is heard, :"
Archbishop ireland said, that the or
ganization OF American democracy
such as the public has known for a
century and quarter must be altered,
torn asunder, under the pretense that
with it the people do not govern with
sufficient directness. Let us hope that
this clamor is but passing ebullitlon
OF feeling.
Democracy, yes; mobocracy, never.
And toward mobocracy we are now old-
den to wend our way. The shlbboleths
of the clamor, the initiative, referendum
and recall, put into general practice, as
the evangelists of the new social gospel
would fam have them, are nothing
more nor less than the madness OF de-
mocracy. The highest and purest
moral virtues run into extremes become
evi-so with democracy.
May We not, it is asked, trust the
people !? Yes, we trust the people, as
the farmers Of our constitution trusted
them; as the people usually trust them
selves when interests other than pollt'
ical are at stake, RENTING those inter
ests to experts. We trust the people
when they treat matters with which
they are conyersant.
In the long run American public
opinion will be sure to right itself; the
people may suffer from a temporary
excitement. From the consequences
OF such excitement We should strive to
save the republic.
with the initiative and referendum,
legislative bodies become mere bureaus
of registration and exchange for popu-
lar views and opinions. All conclusive
authority is lost to them. A small
fraction OF the population sets the ma
chinery of legislation in motion, re,
tards or annuls its DEGREES. And thi:
for all subjects, the most obstruse and
complicated. The ultimate verdict, il
| is true, rests with the whole people, but
! many, we must admit, are the prob
lens recording which the whole people
have no adequate knowledge, to which
in the throes OF political campaign
the people are unable to give the requi.
site reflection.
But the worst is the recall. Stabil-
ity and independence in office for Q
fixed period OF time are essential.
Liable to recall, the official is continu'
ously watchful of public opinion, and
then we must remember the peril to
the public peace OF the commonwealth.
Fifteen or even 10 per cent OF the voter:
at preceding election-gathered prob
ably from the defeated party-may
force the recall and bring on the tur'
moil Of new campaign.
But what il the official has proven
, himself unworthy of bis trust? Our
| laws and constitution provides remedy.
| Let him be impeached and judged by
well-established and impartial courts.
The peril from the recall is shown
when it is extended to the judiciary. II
ever independence from popular clamor
is imperiously demanded, it is when
men are hidden to speak in the name
OF supreme justice regardless of conse,
quences, when absolute calmne:s oil
mind are the perquisities to decision.
whatever the social or political
revolutions with which the country may
be threatened, for the sake OF America
lec us pray the God OF nations, LEI
there be no sacrilegious nand laid upon
the courts impairing their independence
or lowering their majesty"