Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-07

pulsive processes of revolution dimfn-
ishes. We must be patient in the work
| of assimilation and studiously avoid
| oppressive measures in the face of
| mere evidence of misunderstanding.
We have a composite nation. The Al
mighty doubtless intended it to pc
| such. We will not. however, develop
| difference between despotism and
democracy. The necessity for the
| drastic laws of war days is not pres
! ent now, and we should return at the
earliest opportunity to the statutory
| provisions passed in time of peace for
| dition now that warrants any in
! fringement on the right of free
speech and assembly nor on the lib
erty of the press. The greatest meas
| ure of individual freedom consistent
with the safety of our institutions
causes manifestations that compel re-
straint. The police power. therefore.
| is called to action because the legisla-
tive authority acted unwisely.
A forbearing policy is not the prop
er one for the deliberate enemy of
our institutions. He is of the kind
that knows conditions abroad and
here. The difference between autoc-
racy and-democracy is well marked IN
his mind. He is opposed to govern
ment in any form. and he hates ours
because it appeals to those whom he
woulE convert to his creed. Any
policy of terrorism is fuel to his
flame of anarchy. Those whom he
seeks to arouse, in time, realize the
difference between his and their men
tai attitude, so that when the law
lays hand upon his willful menace
to government the purpose of it be-
comes Hain to them. Official con-
tempt for the law is a harmful ex-
hibition to our people. 1t is difficult
to follow the reasoning of any one
who wo6ld seek to make an issue
of the question of law-enforcement.
The executive obligation, both nation
al and state, on assuming the oath
of office is to preserve, protect and
defend the Constitution of the United
States" The Constitution. on it's es-
sence, is the license and Limitation
given to and placed upon the law
making body. The legislative branch
of government is subjected to the
rule of the majority. The public Of
fetal who fails to enforce the law
is an enemy both to the Constitution
and to the American principle of nh
jority rule. 1t would seem quite un-
necessary for any candidate for the
presidency to say that he does not
intend to violate his oath of office.
Any one who is false to that oath is
more unworthy than the law violator
himself.
Morals cannot easily be produced
by statute. The writ of injunction
should not be abused. Intended as a
safeguard to person and property. 1t
could easily by abuse cease to be the
protective device it was intended to
be.
Public Should BE T.
Given Confederation.
Capital develops into large units
without violence to public sentiment
or injury to public interest-the same
principle should not be denied to Ia
Dor. Collective bargaining through
the means of representatives selected
by the employer and employe, re-
spectively. will be helpful rather
than harmful to the general interest
Besides. there is no ethical objection
that can be raised to it. We should
not, by law. abridge a mans right
either to labor or to quit his en-
ployment. However. neither labor
nor capital should at any time or in
any circumstances take action that
would put in jeopardy the public
welfare.
We need definite and precise
statement of policy as to what bust
ness men and workingmen may do
and may not do by way of combina-
ton and collective action. The law
turns upon the economic predictions
! of the judge or jury. This does not
make for confidence in the courts
nor respect for the laws, nor for
healthy activity in production and
distribution. There surely VIII be
found ways by which cooperation
may be encouraged without the de-
struction Or enterprise. The rules
of business should be made more
certain, SO that on a stable basis men
may move with confidence.
Government, however, should pro-
vide the means in tie treatment of
it's employees to keeE in touch with
conditions ana to rectify wrong. It
is needless to say that in order to
be consistent facts should at all
the government employees are prop
erly compensated.
The child life of the nation should
be conserved: If labor in immature
years is permitted by one genera
ton. it is practicing unfairness to
the next.
Agriculture is but another form
of industry. In fact. it is the basis
of industry because upon it depends
the flood supply. The drift from
countryside into the city carries
disquieting portents. If our growth
IN manufacturing in the next few
years holds it's present momentum,
lit Will be necessary for America to
import foodstuffs. It., therefore, de-
wolves upon government. through in
tensive scientific cooperation, to
help in maintaining as nearly as pos
sible the existing balance between
food production and consumption.
Farming will not inspire individual
effort unless profits. all things con-
sidered, are equal to those in other
activities. An additional check to de-
pleted ranks in the fields would be
the establishment of modern state
rural school codes. The federal gov
eminent should maintain active spOn-
|sorship of this Rural parents would
be lacking in the element which
makes civilization enduring If they
did not desire for their children edu-
cational opportunities comparable to
those in the cities. The price the
consumer pays for foodstuffs is no
indication of what the producer re-
ceives. There are too many tutn-
overs between the two. Society
and government, particularly local
and state. have been remiss in not
undermining local marketing facili-