Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-08-23

It Is an interesting fact to consider. in
the light Of recent events in the United
States. that very early in the history OF
the republic 1t was realized that. In a
government which derives its authority
from powers delegated by the governed,
those who seek to act, either in a repre-
sentative or an administrative capacity,
must possess. in some form or another.
clearly defined proof that such authority
has been delegated. Probably the first
enactment expressing this fundamental
tenet and its application to the citizens
and government of the United States is to
be found in what is commonly known as
the Logan act. passed by congress in the
year 1893. the terms of which were recent
~ wicked by the government at Wash
ington to prevent participation by mem
bers of the socialist party who are citizens
Of the United States in the so-called peace
conference at Stockholm.
BY invoking the terms Of the Logan act
q few weeks ago Secretary Of
State Lansing found authority to
prevent. in so far as the refusal
the departure from the United States of
leaders of the socialist party who sought
to attend the sessions of a socialist con-
gress in Stockholm, called, it is believed
by many at the behest of the imperial
German government. In the hope that
pro-German sentiment might be created.
especially among the masses in Russia.
The inhibiting clause. so clear and UNI
equivocal that no appeal was taken by
those detained under the provisions Of
the law. provides in general terms that
any citizen OF the United States who.
without permission or authority, carries
on any intercourse with any foreign gov
eminent or any officer or agent thereof
with an intent to influence the measures
or conduct Nf any fnrotDn DOvornnont In
relation to any disputes or controversies
with the United States or to defeat any
measures of the government Of the United
States shall be punished by a fine and
imprisonment specified.
The enactment of this provision resulted
directly from just such intercourse az that
recently prohibited. The early intercourse
was carried on by a DIR. George Logan, OF
Pennsylvania, a member of the Society of
Friends. a man of means and al ardent
French sympathizer. while the dispute be-
tween the United States and France was
pending in the 1908. Reference to the in
cidents surrounding the event reveals the
official activities of such notable states
men. jurists and legislators as Thomas
Pinckney. then minister to France: John
Marshall. Elbridge Gerry. Thomas Jeffer-
son and George Washington, then presi-
dent Of the United States. Minister Pinck-
ney. assisted by Marshall and Gerry. act
ing as special commissioners. was seeking
to bring about an adjustment OF the dis
pute between the two governments. Or.
Logan. claiming to believe that the sentl-
ments of the people of the United States
were not being properly represented. con-
stituted himself an ambassador extraOr-
binary to h French government and
secretly sailed for France. He was hailed
by the directory. toasted by Merlin. re-
ceived by Tallyrand and returned to the
United States with the verbal asyuranct
that France would negotiate for peace
Enthusiastic over what he believed to h
the success Of his undertaking. DR.. Logsf