The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-01-13

one to exercise the functions Of either
of the others.
Whether we look to the federal or
state government the fact appears
that the people have not only defined
with great accuracy the duties OF each
division OF their government. but they
have furnished the world the unpre-
cedented example of voluntarily sur
rendering a part of their unlimited
power. They deprived themselves OF
all legislative, executive and judicial
authority and before they can per-
form any Of these functions of govern
ment they must revest themselves
with the necessary power therefore by
constitutional methods they them
selves have devised
A Solemn Admonition.
The thought I want to leave with
you at this point is this; if the peo-
pie, the source of all power, refuse to
exercise power they have delegated
until they can in a formal and orderly
way revest themselves with author
fty to act, their conduct in this re-
spect should afford a solemn admon-
ition against the usurpation of au-
thority by any branch of the govern
ment. Impressed by the example
thus set by the people, and revering
constitutional provisions, l shall con-
scientiously strive to confine my Of
fetal acts to the executive sphere
prescribed by the constitution, and
steadfastly refrain from attempting
coercive methods respecting the other
branches Of government
Those called to official positions
of grave responsibility cannot nope
rightfully to respond to the demands
of the public, if they close their eyes
to the constitution of society and the
spirit of the times. Indifferently, in
deed, has he lived who does not I'M
derstand that the people know their
government is slipping away from
them, and that they are pleading for
honest public servants. The news
paper and the magazine are abroad in
the land. The Isaiahs of national
progress are crying unto the people
to reclaim the government of their
own making, and with hearts that
shall not fail and with a courage that
shall endure. they will ultimately have
their Runnymede.
We should not forget, however, that
wild defamation DISCREPANCIES and
illustrates the plans of those working
for the general good. Recognizing
this truth, the people are coming more
and more to lay their heads together
on matters OF public concern, with
the view of being able to give help
full service to those in authority over
them. Hence the official entreaty to
the populace should be, Come, let US
reason together" This was the con-
ception of law making the philoso-
phical Burke had in mind when he de-
clared that I'm all forms of govern
! ment the people is the true legisla-
tor
Necessity for Law and Order.
In national, as in state affairs, they
have solved fntelligently every ques-
ton they have had to consider I
sometimes think that men in public
station do not always correctly esti-
mate the wisdom and the character of
American citizenship. While our citi-
zens are aggressive, and at times seem
to act hastily, they are, nevertheless,
given to serious thought. This is true
because the average American is ca
pable of a high order of friendship
and has the ability to acquire property.
| Love for man and desire for property
suggests the necessity for law and or
der, and so 1t is that the average
American citizen stands for obedience
to law.
Unless the law is enforced, con-
stitutional guarantees become but the
dreams of our fathers and the most
| sacred rights of citizenship have moth
ing secure upon which to rest. Before
the law, the rich and the poor, the CAP
italist and the laborer must stand up
| up an equality. AS governor l shall
have no favorites in the execution Of
the law, and let it now be understood
that I shall hold that the mind which
devises a scheme that is in violation
of law is guiltier than the dependent
hands that execute the offense in ODE
dience to orders.
A free government, resting upon
the consent and having the love and
support of all the people, should not
be chargeable with class legislation.
This sort of legislation is the trail
of the beast through the pople's law
| making body, and is the rankest sort
of injustice to the masses.
A PubIlc-serving Administration.
make no attack upon property.
Property rights are shielded by con-
stitutional guarantees and must be re-
spected. Nor am l hostile to corpora
tons On the contrary. I recognize
their worth. The business of the
country could not be carried on with
out them But insist that when they
dominate legislature and control the
peoples government in their own in
terest, they violate the law Of their
creation, become wrong doors agains It
the public. and should be dealt with
accordingly. But corporations. like
individuals, when they are assigned
for wrong doing, either before the
bar Of public opinion, or at the bar
of justice, must be tried according to
the rules OF Justice. 1t may, there
fore, be appropriately observed in
this connection that the 1oudest de-
nunciation does not necessarily indi-
cate the surest way to the reform the