News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1922-11-08
SENTINELS OF THE
REPUBLIC
(From the Vergennes Vermonterl

All organization mas sprung INTO
existence within a few weeks which
has for it's aims and objects the
preservation of the form of govern
ment handed down to us by the
founders of the epublic-what there
is left of it-and to combat the in
sidious schemes to weaken the fed
eral constitution. 1t is called "The
Sentinels of the Republic" 1t is
hoped that other agencies with the
same objects in view may be induced
to combine and cooperate with it. The
program is simple and in order to be-
come member one simply signs his
name to blank declaring his Tor her,
for women are as welcome as mem
allegiance to its purposes. There is
no admission fee and no dues, no
secret oaths or pledges; no religious
or other distinctions. The purposes
are as follows:
'"To maintain the fundamental
principles of the American Constitu-
ton.
"To oppose further federal en-
croachment upon the reserved rights
of the states.
''To stop the growth of socialism.
ITO prevent concentration of power
in Washington through the multiple
cation of administrative bureaus
under perverted Interpretation of
the general welfare clause.
"To help preserve a free republican
form of government in the United
States"
From Industry, the official publica-
ton of the Associated Industries of
Massachusetts, we get pretty clear
idea of the desirability of an organ
ization Of this kind. Read what
Industry says:
"For years the tendency has been
to centralize in Washington political
control of all industrial activities and
to concentrate there innumerable
bureaus busy with meddlesome
schemes to better the condition of
humanity, to advance all sorts of So
called altruistic notions leading to
public ownership, to unrestrained eX-
travagance, to supervising and pro-
hibiting the exercise of natural and
wholesome functions of states and in
dividuals. The boundaries between
the states are growing less and less
distinct, as the federal government
has absorbed their powers.
"The men who first set up our dual
form of government, which for a CEN
fury and more has been the admira-
ton of mankind, clearly defining the
lines of demarcation between govern
mental functions subject to local or
national control, would be struck
with onnctorpot io,, if +ba1, 1ra,o 70
see the Constitution in it's present
mutilated state, or were to know of
the extraordinary schemes of legisla-
ton which are urged on Congress
with ever increasing prospects of
success under a perverted interpre-
tation of the so-called General We'll
fare clause.
"The time is ripe for rousing the
American people to the danger of the
day and to a realization of the fact
that they are rapidly exchanging
their birthright for a mess of radical
and socialistic legislation. The Sen
tinels stand for orderly government.
Enrolment carries the assurance that
each Sentinel will keep an eye on
every suspicious legislative proposal
and guard against propaganda cal
culated to poison the springs of
American democracy. Through their
activities should come increased re-
spect for the fundamental law-the
federal Constitution-which is the
foundation and basis of our govern
ment."
Those who were privileged to hear
Congressman Frank L Greene's
patriotic and soul-stirring address at
the meeting at the Hyde Park Inn
Saturday-an address, by the way,
which should have been delivered in
the court house with standing room
only-will notice how similar it was
to the sentiments here expressed.
Colonel Greene showed:
First: How it was that the found
ers of this republic left home and
family ties to come to a wilderness
because they wished to get away
from the rule of kings and their So
called divine right; !
Second: How the right to govern
themselves and make their own laws
should be reserved to the states ex-
cept where the security and integrity
of the federal government were con-
cerned; that the rights of the states
should not be infringed upon except
when the security and integrity of
the federal government were threat
ened; and,
Third: That whereas formerly
at Washington was from
the people up, now it comes from
Washington down to the people.
Colonel Greene also, speaking out
Of his knowledge of what goes on in
Washington, showed how a group of
men and short-haired
women, dreamers, Missionaries, NAL
contents, foes of any sort of govern
ment, could get together, small in
perhaps, at first, ever in
ever widening their circle of
influence, interesting some we'll