The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-04-18
IN
DANGER FROM
TAMPERERS
Political IncOnoclasts Sharpen
ing Their Knives
TEAR UP AND NOT IMPROVE
Harris DIsproves Of Modern Tendency
to Rend Ancient Draft Of
Policies

Washington, April 1.-THE tenden-
cy of the times in the direction of po-
lltical revolution Is perhaps most
clearly indicated by proposed leglsla-
ton in congress directed against the
constitution. Up to within very
few years all congressional legislation
relating to 1t was in the way OF add
ing to and strengthening 1t. but IN
these later days the knife OF the polit-
ical iconoclast searches for its yitals.
For hundred years respected and
revered as the model of economic re-
publican government, II has now al
most come to the pass where none
are so poor as to do 1t reverence.
The ideal OF a. free and prosperous
people for a century, the respectful
admiration of the nations, its children
have at last turned to rend it. Pro
positions to change it in important
particulars. now contemplated, are
likely to prove eventually successful,
and these agitations are continually
incubating other and yet more drastic
ones. In the evolution of the nation
the people have been led to believe
that the constitution itself stands in
the way of larger and more desir
able political freedom, and in the
frenzy of the moment the axe is
swiftly laid at its roots.
These reflections are forced by the
latest proposition, that OF the South
to repeal the fourteenth amendment,
which confers citizenship on the ne
gro. Whatever may have been the
ACCESSIBILITY of this amendment at the
time, and that may perhaps be ques-
toned, it has been an integral part
of our organic law for nearly fifty
years, and has met with the approval
of the country as a whole. The south,
however, has in a large measure dis
- credited and nullifed 1t, and has al
ways held the hope il not the expec-
tation of it's eventual repeal. From
their point of view the time for earn
est effort to accomplish that end is
now ripe, and Representative Hard
wick, prominent Southern democrat,
has introduced and is vigorously agi-
tating an act for the repeal of the
amendment And why MOTTO use
homely expression with which Yer
monters are familiar--''let the tail go
is dead what difference where and
when the dissection begins, or where
IL ends? The South Is now observing
attacks on 1t all along the line from
sources which have hitherto respect
ed and upheld 1t, and they rightly con-
slider It most propitious and oppcr-
tune time to join in the general hue
and cry. Therefore they ask for
their share of the dlsmembered re-
mains They may get it; God knows
where safety lies or where sanity be-
gins
There are members of both houses
of congress with whom | have dis
cussed the matter who express the
fear that the proposed change in the
constitution permitting the election
of senators by direct vote of the peo-
pie will, If put in operation, finally
result in. the apportioning of senators
according to population. This, GER
tainly, is the logical and reasonable
result. Members of the House are
thus elected and thus apportioned.
The proposition now before congress,
though in theory and in itself posi-
bly, unobjectionable, is regarded by
more than one farsighted statesman
as the opening wedge to the event.
and necessarily following result above
referred to- in that eventuality We
may expect a ratio of repreg eni alton
whereby New York might have We
United States senator's, and Nerm mi
none. This possibility-and * GER
tainly Is one--is not to be jeered at
Stranger things are happening today
and others equally strange are propos
ed for tomorrow In view of what Is
happening, who can predict where
the ravages Of the political iconoclast
will be checked?
In thus discussing a possibility OF
this character there is no design OIL
discredlting for political effect the
legislation on the subject now before
the senate. When the resolution
providing for the popular election o.
senators comes to vote 1t will very
probably be adopted by that body anC
by the necessary two-thirds majority
1t is not thought probable, either, tina
such an amendment as prevailed II
the senate last session will again b.
accepted That body will not be al
lowed the right to regulate the man
ner and methods of holding the pro
DObeu pOpuldI NlcNllOhos OOh6iNo
will relinquish all control, and unde
the resolution every state may adop
different legislation governing tn
matter. Any Southern state may dis
franchise every negro and every cit
zen who is not a landowned and cleo
a senator for life If it so desires. An
state can go to any such extreme, an
il is none of the business of the fec
eral government. Under such condi
ions, If they are ever allowed lega
existence, we will see what we sha
see.
Up to date the democratic Hous
Is having everything its own wa!
Like the Frenchman's horse, there D'
Ing only one entry and no distanc
flag up, 1t took first money. Thu
far the republican elephant has COZ
tented himself with looking over tn
rail and watching the Democrat
donkey spin around the track Prett
soon the donk will go under the blal
ket, and the elephant will show Il
tie burst of speed The first artlc
in the democratic warning was III