Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-09
THE 18TH LEGISLATURE
CONTINUED from Page Twa)

TOrabIe acton upon tIe pIopoSeo
OF the Constitution of the
United States. will say first. that
such an act is without precedent in
our history as a nation. Should one
of this nature be established 1t would
be (firsD unAmerican, (second) un-
democratic. and (third) unChristian.
To my mind any one Of these reasons
is sufficient to warrant its defeat.
Let US review briefly the history Of
the constitution Of the United states
down to the present time. 1t was
first adopted in 1877. having six orig
inal articles. Article V provided how
the constitution might be amended.
Then at once arose storm OF pro-
test from several Of the states that
it contained no guarantee OF indi-
vidual liberties and personal rights.
The first Congress that met after the
one that adopted the constitution re-
solved to submit to the states 10
amendments being a declaration OF
personal rights and restriction upon
Congress to interfere with the per-
sonal libities Of citizen. and from
that time up to the present no
to our national constitu-
ton has been submitted that ,r-
stricts the freedom Of an American
citizen.
wish now to quote Lincoln as 20
his ideas of democracy and self-gov-
eminent. as follows
II trust l understand and truly
estimate the rights of self-gover1-
ment. My faith in the proposition
that each man should do precisely rs
he pleases with all which is exclrs.
ively his own lies at the foundation
Of the sense Of justice there IS in me.
| extend the principle to communi-
ties of men as we'll as to individuals.
/ so extend it because it is POLITICAL
~ wise, as we'll as naturally just:
politically wise in saving us from
hroils about matters which do not
concern us Here. or at Washington.
l would not trouble myself with the
oyster laws Of Virginia. or III" Gran
berry laws of Indiana. The doctrine
of self government is right-absolute-
Il and eternally right"
Further on he said: We'll. ] doubt
not that the people of Nebraska are
and will continue to be as good as
the average OF people elsewhere. DO
not say the contrary. What 20
say is that no man is good enough
to govern another man without that
Others consent. l say this is the
leading principie.t the sheet anchor
Of American Republicanlsm. our
Of Independence says:
We hold these truths to be self-evl-
dent: that all men are created equal;
that they are endowed by their Gre
ator with certain inal.enable rights
that among these are life, liberty and
the pursuit Of happiness. That 20
secure these rights governments are
instituted among men, deriving their
inst powers from the consent OF the
governed"
Further on he said: 'In support ct
his application of adoption Of self
government Senator Douglas has
sought to bring to his aid the opIh-
ions and examples Of our Revoiut'on-
ary fathers. I am glad he has done
this. 7 love the sentiments OF those
old time men. and shall be most nap
Nv TO abide by their opinions. he
shows US that when 1t was IN con
temptation fer the colonies TO preak
off from Great Britain and set up
new government for themselves, sew
oral Of the states instructed their
deleeates to go for the measure. pro-
yidcd eacl, state should be allowed
TO regulate it's domestic concerns III
it's own way" That is one th'hs
which this provision which we are
about to adopt did not provide 1or'
Further on he says: Finally. in
sis, that if thu re is anything when
it i, the duty Of the whole people TO
never intrust to any hands but their
own, that thing is the preservation
and perpetuity Of their own liberties
and institutions"
So far wish to say that while my
remarks do not expect will change
the vote of anyone, yet l 90 WISH :"
make nv position clear. The people
I have the honor to represent at pres
ent have never informed me as 10
what they will do. wish to be frank
with them, however, and make Il
plain why my position is as 1t IS.
believe heartily in this resolve that
has been proposed. l believe that mis-
is q question for the people TO ac-
eide themselves, and that they should
be given the opportunity to decide It.
Gentlemen. I think you.
The SPEAKER: The pending daes-
ton il. the adoption Of the amend-
ment.
Mr.. COCHRANE. OF Monmouth: Mr..
Sneaker. l had no thought OF speak
ing at this time, but inasmuch as the
gentleman from Minot. MIR. Bean,
has taken the initiative in this mat
ter and has acknowledged his own
in legislation, 1t Is en-
jnently proper that one who has no
experience whatever in ieSisla tloh
should reply to his argument. me
gentleman tell us that he feels IN
Competent to decide so great a mat
tor ard wish to ask this BODY,
through the courtesy Of the Cha'r.
why it is necessary for the gentleman
from Minot to decide this questlon:
Was not that question decided i'sl
September when we were electeo I"
o,r seats in this assembly: Inefe
was not a voted in the State OF Maine
vho did not know that there was 10
he two very important matters De-
rcre this Legislature-the contro!
of the water powers and the controi
of the rum powers; and there Is hot
q man in the Legislature who was
not elected to his place on a plat
form of one Of those two propositions.
There was not voter in the state
of Maine who did not know that the
ratification proposition would be the
most important one to come before