Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-03-07
SIMPLE JUSTICE.

A democracy approaches permanence in the de-
gree in which it approximates extending equal
rights to its individual citizens. The upper class
is the especial object Of solicitude in monarchy.
The "proletarat' is the chief concern under the
soviet system Both are wrong. Both breed class
frictions and conflicts through the determinations
and injustice which they impose upon the minority.
While our American system is one of decision
majortes the fact yet remains that its greatest
merit lies in its protection of the rights of minor!
ties--for the minority has rights which must be
respected. our national constitution is devoted
very largely the protection of the rights Of the
dividual and of mnorities.
Whenever majortes inflict injustces upon
minorities merely because they in the majority
our system becomes an instrument of force. An
injustice is less wrong, merely because it is
inflicted by majority by an organized minority
Our American system requires that we submit
to the will of majority There is no other route by
which popular decisions be made. But our
system also contemplates to the courts for
relief in the event injustice is done to the MI
nority by the majority Our constitutional rights
should protect US. Ultimately they will
The French revolution was precipitated because
a majority, or an organized minority having the
force of a majority, inflicted grlevous
the poorer citizen. The soviet in Russia is failure
because the masses of workers refuse to recognize
the rights of the rest of the people.
class system will not work, Everybody has
rights which must be rcognized and preserved. One
mans rights end wherever another mans rights
begin. Favors for any at the expense of the rest,
will wreck any government which fails for long 70
correct the evil.
Much of the unrest in America is due to the
fact that an organized minority, having the aid
which comes from the possession of large amounts
OF property has been able TO constitute itself the
ruling power, to the harm of the wealthless
-. .s,
sometimes becomes too great for weak human ma
ture and sporadic outbursts of direct action" re-
suit No condones these outbreaks. They are
a mistake, if not crime. Any remedy for a wrong
which contemplates force, merely substitutes one
evil for another.
None the less thinking people should realize
that is the unconscionabe advantage of which
results in the insubordination of others To reach
the cause, these unfair advantages must be taken
away and square deal be restored Furnishing the
unruly is merely palliative at best. It cures
nothing
The educated portion OF population can ex-
pect nothing but fierce outbursts of resentment
from the uneducated who find themselves baffled
in their efforts to procure justice.
The example set OF wringing unfair advan-
tage merely because of the power to do so, may be
expected to be copied. Whenever the less educated
masses gain the upper hand they are quite cer-
tain to indulge in abuses of that power. They have
learned this by example.
There is little, If any, unrest under a govern !
ment which affords a square deal to all. People !
do not stir up row when they prosperous and
contented
The rich cannot hope for peace as long they
create tolerate unbearable and unjust living
conditions for the poor The poor can hope for
nothing but distress and hunger when they bring
about conditions under which business cannot |
prosper Our inter-dependence must be recognized
by all.
No man is ultimate loser by conceding JUS |
ice to others 1t Is the only basis for continued
security. Catering to any class is a mistake. The !,
firm foundation of Justice to all is the only footing
upon which TO stand.
To become prejudiced against all property sim
ply because some men abuse the power which it
gives or to become embittered at labor merely be-
cause rabid radical now and then develops, are
equally absurd. Both instances of the weak
ness of human nature. Both must be curbed. All
must recognize the persuasive power Of simple JUS
tice.