Newark post., 1911-06-14
THE CRAZE FOR "DEMOCRACY''

THE initiative and referendum, p-i-
mariss Of every conceivable form and
completely, the recall Including the
recall for Judges are having Z tremsn-
dous ycgue III these days. They are ell
expressions Of q common idea nov ex-
trsnely populsr-the desire n6t only
that the people ghoulG rule but that
they should rule directly and without
the intervention Of those forms Of gov
ernmeut which the experience Of the
world and the lessons Of history have
shown conclusiveiy to be necessary safe
guards Of sane 'ssrnment that shall
protect life, liberty and property from
the caprice Of ths mob, the tyranny Of
temporary majorities and the mistakes
Of the thoughtlsss and ignorant led by
the dsmaxogues.
The eager supporters Of all these de-
vices imagine that they are striving 70,
an unassailable ideal when they say that
they wish TO nave the authority Of gov
erunent come fresh, Immediately and
direct from the people," and thus they
show their ignorance Of he history Of
government. Pure democracies-vhsre
the tLey2 Lost in the fus. heaps Of his
tory. Rule by the people directly and
without delay? Who not insane, would
like to have his life and liberty and
fate submitted to the test OF an uproar-
ious vote and the imme Iiate decision OF
any majority?
The people who are extrting the great
est influence in America today In Great
ing popular opinion as to government
are. those who know nothing about it.
Il is az II the men picked out by chance
should be intrusted with the task Of
conducting a chemical laboratory or Of
erecting bridge across the river II is
a pity that thege Constitution makers
or would be destroyers cannot be forced
to read the article By Albert Fink in the
North American Review on the Recall
OF Judges" Mr.. Fink shows pretty clear
ly that the pirate In the Federal Com
stitution which guarantees to every
State in this Union a republican form of
government means a representative
government; that the recall and such de-
vices are contrary to the spirit and let
ter OF q republican form of government;
that q fundamental principle Of a re-
publican form of government is the indie
penoence OF tine judiciary; that the re-
call would destroy the independence of
the Judges and. finally, that even II the
Constitution were not in existence the
degradation Of the judiciary by the use
Of the recall world be senseless folly
and menace TO The rights and safety
OF all men.
Mr.. Fink examines the discussions pre-
ceding the adoption of the Constitution
and shows by wonderful array OF au-
thorities that the very object Of franz
ing the Constitution under which this
Republic has waHed great and prosper
Gus was 10 save the people from the pit
falls that have been the ruin OF nearly
all democracies. The Constitution Of
the United States has been a success be-
cause II has saved the people from
their errors and follies, from ignorance
and lack OF experience. John Randolph
observed:
THAT the general object was to pro-
vide cure for the evils under which
the United States labored fbefore the
adoption OF the Constitution; that in
tracing these evils to their origin every
man had found II In the turbulence and
lollies Of democracy; that some check