Deming graphic., 1920-01-06
FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT

4 safe principle OF government is to
confinc governmental actia. wholly t.
its function OF protection for It's citi-
zens, for which. indeed, II was institu-
ted and which Is the only excuse Tor
placing its burdens on the shoulders OF
The people We have today, have al
ways had for that matter, a group Of
iLdiyiduals who wish 10 lSsh@on this
first principle of pro, ha'"n Tor ac-
tion predicated ON the assumed good
intentions of civilized peoples and ma
tions. II their assumption is true then
all government should be abandoned.
Their ideals, no matter what they
brand themselves, are anarchistic, are
truly ideal and beautiful. But they
resent such logical conclusion and de-
clare for governmental action which Is
sociallstic in nature-that Is, all gov
ernment The government to regulate
everything-to conduct all activity
In the interest of the common veal.
This theory, while diametrically OPP
posed 10 their assumption Of the good
ness OF human nature, is also truly
ideal and beautiful, though. indeed. 1t
assumes that people and their institu-
tions do need regulating. They simply
deny that force Is necessary to carry
out such a program. And here Is
where the anarchists and, socialists
meet ON common ground they both
deny that force is necessary to carry
out their programs.
Really the only question to ask In
our national as well as our information
al relations is: Does IL require the
application of force TO make people
and nation conduct themselves in the
light of the Golden RuleY Common
sense tells us that force is back Of all
natural law and any other kind Of law
is observed or enforced with certain-
~. II that answer is assumed as aXio-
matte then our way lies clearly before
us and we can advance with the ad-
vice Of all the great and good men OF
the present and past to guide us. as all
great lawmakers have seen to IL that
n penalty made the observance Of their
codes certain.
III fGrcc is necessary, then that part
which Is necessary should be organized
IN make il effective. This, then, is the
only legitimate activity of the govern
ment and il Is safe 10 exclude gov
ernment from other interference with
either the individual citizen or the for
cign nation. Meddling and curtail-
ment of individual liberty is thereby
avoided and men and nations can. de-
valop in their own way free of aggres-
sion 30 long as they do not come into
conflict with government organized for
I.otection only.
Nature does not need to use as much
~ttssfISe to unfold, ,lse flowers, perhaps, as
&c does to Is IA new continent from
the bed of T. ea, but reserve h rorce
! always preSent-adequat TO every
demand made upon 1t. And here we
pproach the ideals Of the pacifists,
as exempllfied by President Wilson
aud his ers-disarmament They
contend that we may disarm because
al the goodness Of human nature, those
no follow the advice Of Washington
and jefferson contend that we may ap-
proaeh disarmament as nearly as may
IL by organizing only such force as is
q lequate TO carry out the activities OF
vernment dedicated TO the protection
~ the people. When no force Is nee
G sary-though that day will never be
then Il would be foo iii TO use fore
here force Is unnecessary and its dis
rse would mean it's extinction as a fac
tpr In the lives of men and nations.
II Is all simple enough Use common
fonse and lend an attentive ear 10 the
ratriots that have lived before us and
Who perchance, may be living now.