The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-03-02

a complete denial OF its former prin-
ciples. Should the party itself give
such a verdict we believe the citizen
ship of America would revolt against
such an onslaught on the practice
that through all our history has pre-
vented the possibility of prolonged
dictatorship in this country and elect
a man for third term in the presi-
dents chair.
Mr.. Roosevelt's speech on THE
Charter of Democracy at Columbus,
Ohio, last week Tuesday should for
ever end the possibility Of Roosevelt
leadership in this country. In the
main the speech was the enunciation
of a political platform and 1t contain
ed many good features. A short bal
lot, and direct primaries and his de-
claration regarding the control OF
large business seem to be sound and
safe. But when he advocates the re-
call Of the judicial decision On con-
stitutional- questions by the people
themselves he shows himself the most
radical and destructive leader OF mod
ern times. w. J. Bryan, fiattered and
melted by mobs crazed with the des-
tructiye forces within their control
never advocated anything so destruc-
tive to law and order as this. Mr..
Roosevets plan is as follows;
The recall Of the judges as a last
resort quicker and more summary
remedy than the impeachment OF a
Judge who has grown so out OF touch
with social needs and facts that he
is unfit longer to render good ser
vice on the bench" He said, when
the Supreme Court Of the state de-
/ clares a given statute unconstitution-
al. because in conflict with the state
or national constitution, its opinion
should be subject to revision by the
people themselves
Mr.. Roosevelt cites as examples OF
the failure Of the courts to do as the
people desired the bred Scott decis
ion and a recent decision by the couri
of appeals OF New York that the work
mans compensation act was unconsti
tutional because it conficted with the
clause In the constitution forbiddinl
the taking Of property without a due
process OF law We admit that he
has selected two cases where popular
will was thwarted and where popular
will was melted by a desire to ait
suffering humanity but in each CASE
is involved a principle more impor
tant to the people than the method by
which they attempted to accomplish
their object Note that we say meth
cd and not the object itself because II
each instance the purpose OF the pee
pie was right but they resorted to un
constitutional methods to accomplish
their purpose. We believe If the.
adopt constitutional methods the.
can perform their purpose. But MI
Roosevelt would not question tn
method and II the courts should ques
ton them he would override tn
courts Suppose the people shoul,
vote after this decision by the New
York courts to recall that decision
and say the law should be enforcel
even though II does take propert
without due process OF law. the RICH
OF every man. woman or organization
to hold property is destroyed AM
they could hold property only whe
and where the majority felt they wer
entitled to do so. The constitution
declares that person is entitled I
hold property unless IL is taken fror
him by lawful methods, and does nc
give the courts, the people or eve
Bullycrat Roosevelt the right to n
move this guarantee to the indivldui
even II a temporary majority OF tn
voters desire a. Until the people de
eide to take this guarantee ava
from all property by amending IN
constitution they cannot enforce Z
the courts interpret q law to the COZ
trary.
Mr. Roosevelt's plan would lnstan
ly destroy the rights and protectio
OF the minority In this country. Their
, would be no constitutional right {
protection because the majority cou
vote that the constitution should M
apply Again II might vote that
should apply one day. tomorrow. tn
IL should not and reverse as often I
they wished. There would be no In
no guarantee except that Of them
I iorliy. The right to live to purs,
happiness. to hold property. to eni,
religion, the freedom OF speech az
all the rights OF the individual gran
ed by the constitution would not
inalicnable but subject to the vi
OF the political party temporarily
power. Were u not for the right
free speech which the constitute,
gives We believe that the MAORI
OF the American people would consil
the advocate OF such destructive do
trlnes as those OF Mr. Roosevelt
the mad house rather than to the y
stlon OF leader and ruler-St. John
bury Caledonian.
EARYY RsSEUs