The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-03-22

states where the recall of the judges Is
living issue. Is it not equally plain
that the question whether a given so
cial policy is for the public good Is no
of II judicial nature, but should be set
tied by the legislature, or in the fna
instance by the people themselves?
The president Of the United States
Mr.. Taft, devoted most of Il recent
speech to criticism of this proposition
lie says that ii lis utterly without
merit or utility, and instead of being
in the interest of all the peo-
pie and Of the stability of popular gov.
eminent, is sowing the seeds of confu-
sion and tyranny" by this he, of
course, means the tyranny OF the ma
iority-that Is the tyranny of the
American people as Il whole) He also
says that ny proposal (Which, as he
rightly secs, is merely a proposal to
give tie people II real instead of only a
nominal chance to construe and amend
state constitution with reasonable
rapidlt,l would make such amendment
and Interpretation depend on the fe-
verish, uncertain and unstable deter
mination Of successive votes on differ
ent laws by temporary and changing
majoritles," ana that lit lays the ax at
the foot Of the tree of well ordered
freedom and subjects the guarantees Of
life, liberty and property without rem
edy TO the ftful impulse of tempo.
rary majority OF an electorate"
This criticism Is really less crti
cism Of by proposal than criticism
of all popular government II Is
wholly unfounded. unless il is founded
on the belief thai the people ere funda-
mentally worthy. This is the
question that | propose TO submit to
the people. How can the prevailing
morality or n preponderant opinion he
better aud more exactly ascertained
than by u vote OF the people? The
people must know better than the
court what their own morality and
their own opinion H. ask that YOU,
here, you and others like you, YOU the
people, lie given the chance to state
your own views Of justice and public
morality AMI not sit meclily by aad
have your views announced for you By
well meaning adherents OF Outwora
philosophers who exat the pedantry of
formulas above the vital needs Of hu.
man life.
Mr.. Taft's position is the position
that has been held from the beginning
of our government, although not al
ways SO openly held. by large nun-
Der OF reputable and honorable men
who down at bottom distrust popular
government and when they must ac-
cept 1t accept it with reluctance and
hedge around It with every species Of
restriction and check and balance 80
as to make the power of the people as
limited and as Ineffective as possible.
Mr.. Taft fairly defines the issue when
he says that our government is and
should be government of all the peo-
pie by representative part of the peo-
pie This is an excellent and moderate
description Of an oligarchy. 1t defines
our government as a government of all
of the people by a few of the people.
am not speaking jokingly nor do !
mean TO be unkind for / repeat that
many honorable and well meaning men
Of high character take this view and
have taken 1t from the time Of the for
nation Of to nation. Essentially this
view is thai ttieu is a strait
jacket TO b. rtr cltrol OF an
unruly pat PIE. Now,
hold that tli ST. on'y false,
but mischieyoua. aat rar c0astitutions
are instruments designed 10 secure JUS
tice by securing the deliberate but eff
fective expressions Of the popular Will,
that the checks and balances are yalua-