The Alaska daily empire., 1919-12-09
tAlaska School Bulletin.)

ization with the request that it be published. The communication was in the form resolutions adopted by that body and set forth that there were individuals in the community who were not complying with the laws and that the organization pro- posed to enforce the laws and de- upon both the law-breakers and the general public. Whom asked as to how the organization proposed to enforce the laws, the individuals who were delegated to visit the editor re- piled By force" They were, there upon, very properly refused space in the newspaper on the ground that no willingness was displayed to O. operate with duly constituted author ity in the enforcement of law and that the action proposed strikes at the foundamental prin ciples upon which the government of the United States is founded. An investigation re- vealed the fact that no member of this organization had approached either federal or city officials and of fered to submit evidence that would lead to the arrest and conviction of law-breakers and that no attempt had been made to remedy conditions by the method which is open to any Am erican citizen or organization of citi zens.
 The purpose of this article Is not to defend the city and federal off c.als of Alaska but to furnish an ob- iect lesson in government and the re lation of the individual thereto. The incident referred to may be an ex- ample of I. w w. ism, Bolshevism. ultra-radical socialism, or what not. Nevertheless, it strikes at the very root of our republic and of civiliza- tion and may we'll be presented to history and civics classes in the schools and used as an illustration of the difference between government in the United States as set forth in the Constitution and as advocated by those who arc the enemies of or ganized society. The essential dis tinction between a republic and an autocracy on the one hand or a de- mocracy on the other, lies in the fact that in republic supreme au- thority is vested in the people who speak through their chosen represen- tatives. A republican form of gov ernment, therefore, delegates the pow. CTS of government to a small number of citizens elected by the rest.
 There is no place in republic for government by mobs. Government "of the people, by the people and for the people" does not contemplate the usurpation. of the powers of govern ment by any individual or organiza- tion of individuals. It does, however, contemplate Q very direct interest and participation in government by each individual. Herein lies the prin- cipal reason for the lack of good gov crnment which many times does ex- ist. The fault is not in the Amerl- can systom of government which is pronounced by students of govern ment to be the most perfect in the world. It lies in the fcilure of Am crican citizens to accept individual responsibility for the quality of gov ernment in the nation, the state, or the community.
 The average American is too prone to neglect to function as the Consti- t,,xfD oovtnnNrs1nfnQ that hn chpll function. He has not yet come to 2 realization of the power that is placed in his hands by virtue of the ballot. He is, further too much inclined to leave the whole responsibility for the detection of crimc to government officials. If the forces of evil knew that every good American citizen was willing at all times to assume def mite responsibility for the enforc" mont of law and order in the con- munity and bring to the attention os constituted authority all cases of violation of the law which comes toI his notice those forces would find the game too hazardous. The gambler and the bootlegger have confidence in the indifference of the average citizen and that confidence is well merited. If officials with an inclina- tion toward either inactivity or cor ruption knew that voters would use their ballots discreotly at the next election or that they would appeal to superior authority without waiting for election day much better govern ment would. without doubt, result. But as in the casc of law-breakers. indifferent or corrupt officials have confidence in the indifference of the average citizen and that confidence Is again well merited.
 What is needed is a better under standing of our system of govern ment, of how 1t is intended to func- ton and of the duties and obligations of each American citizen. The public school is in a position to impart this knowledge to an extent which is per mitted to no other institution. It touches nearly every home in the nation directly and all homes in- directly. It approaches the question with no desire other than to present the truth. Therc is no one, there