The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-12-03

| ginning OF our government. \ Ou
have read the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, and the Preamble of the
Constitution of the United States.
will not enlarge upon the historical
facts connected with the establish
ment of this Federal Union on the
Continent of North America.
Men with the courage that in
spired Patrick Henry, have been
needed in the parliamentary assem-
blies of Europe for half a century.
To protest. to cry aloud in Bundles
rat, Relchtag, Duma, Reichsrath,
French Assembly and English Par
lament against unjust taxation to
support Militarism. Any tax is un-
just that is levied to support Mill
tarism.
The people of a federal form of
government have the power to reg
ulate taxation. No other form of
government in existence has so great
safeguard against the possibility
of war.
A brief survey of the principles
of the governmental functions Of
the European Powers is necessary
at this point.
France is republic but not a
federal union. France was a mon
archy and when republican rule was
established within that country, the
old realm was divided into depart
ments for the purpose of administra-
ton.
Our government was established
by the federation of the states into
a united nation. Federations gath
ering together, joining with each
other, for mutual cooperation in the
work of bettering the condition of
all citizens.
How different from dividing an
old monarchial territory into politi-
cal divisions for the purpose of bet
ter central control? In France the
government is centralized. In this
country the government Is localized.
We elect president by expressing
a choice thru the medium of electors
chosen by common suffrage. In
France the president is elected. ac-
cording to the Statesman's Y ear
Book, by an absolute majority of
votes, by the Senate and Chamber
of Deputies united in National
Assembly or Congress. A presi-
dent so chosen cannot be other than
the representative of the leading
centralized political power of the
Assembly.
The president of France cannot
declare war without the previous as
sent of the Assembly. This check
on this power is of little value when
the fact is considered that he holds
Office by and with the consent of
the Assembly. The authority of
the president of France reaches
down into the commune for he ap
points all judges.
The centralized form of govern
ment within France is responsible
for the participation of the French
people into the war. The whole
trend of effort put forth by the
French system of national govern
ment Is control of the people gov
ern the people; rule the masses.
This idea has kept the military spir-
it apparent at all times. Had the
French government which gave
the French people less control and
more freedom of political express
sion, the French masses could not
have been pushed pellmell into the
war.
Defenders of the French govern
ment as progressive beneficient
political institution cannot deny
this pertinent fact. That when the
French people most needed strength
from their government, they were
given the equipments of var. No
government that is dominated by
military element. that is obsessed
with the craze of martial glory can
satisfy the demands of progressive
civilization. In times of trouble
such government fails utterly to
be of real use to men. Ii offers the
sword. Incites the people into
false frenzy of mistaken patriotism.
The result is war.
The government Of the German
Empire is confederation composed
of four Kingdoms, six grand duchies.
FIVE duchies, seven principalities,
three free towns and the Reichland
of Alsac and Lorraine. Any gov
ernment with so much of the rudi-
ments of monarchy within it's COM
nosition was hOnnd to rnn ramnant