Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-07-06
Friday, July 8, 1923.
FOR CONSIDERATION

The desire of President Harding
to meet his constituents in their re-
spective communities, to explain to
them from his point Of view the feat
ures of the countrys problems, those
which have been and those now UNI
der consideration, was most natural.
There was need of 1t in the interests
OF a better understanding, a condi-
ton so essential to national we'll
being.
The doing of this inevitably would
have effect on the political situation.
Mr.. Harding expects to be nominee
of his party next year. OF course
the work of his administration will.
be under consideration. Any effort
the better to acquaintI the public with
the real nature of that work, though
not of itself a political move on the
checkerboard Of the game, would
nevertheless exert influences, favor
able or otherwise.
The indications are that President
Hardings talks with the public are
exerting q favorable influence, which
accounts for manifestations of per-
turbation in the camp of those who
would groom the Democratic candi-
date for the presidency. 1t is notice.
able they feel compelled to admit the
Presidents popularity with the
people in the same breath they would
belittle the achievements of his ad-
n1inistration. But what the Presi-
dent is saying is not only provocative
of thought but improves on further
consideration. Then will be more
clearly understood the part the Pres
ident has played in getting affairs of
the country on a firmer footing.
He is not exaggerating his part in
1t. When referring to what has been
accomplished in aid of the farmer he
has arrogated to himself no important
part therein. although those ac-
quainted with the facts are aware
that he has been a host in himself.
Putting into effect the work of the
War Finance CORPORATE ton was one
Of his first official acts; he called
special session Of Congress to pass
an agricultural tariff emergency law
and aided in securing additional
. funds for the Farm Loan Board. He
insisted right along on setting our
own house in order before dabbling
in the affairs abroad, and the needs
Of agriculture have been recognized
by him as worthy Of the first con-
sidera ton.
The founders Of this government
were not Missionaries, not the type of
men to be swept off their feet by the
mad theories of the French Revolu-
ton. They recognized fundamental
truths, they were loyal to the truth
that had been demonstrated. They
planned a republic adhering to the
experience of the past while insisting
on the principle that all men should
he equal before the law. govern
ment which should derive it's just
powers from the consent Of the gov
erned.
No President in the history Of the
country has shown more consistent
consideration Of the consent of the
governed than has President Hard
recognition Of these fundamentals on
the strength of which the government
rests. none has evinced more respect
for the mandates Of the governed, the
laws of the country. Contrast his
:. with the attitude, true to form, of
Tammany's assemblage on the Fourth
of, July, where the prohibition law
Was Kissed and Governor Smith, who
signed the act to repeal that States
prohibition law, thereby disavowing
the States obligation. was hailed as
the Democratic candidate for Mr..
Harding's place. Here are the words
in which the President stated his
view Of the situation, it will bear
comparison:
1.-The Federal Government ought to
perform, in connection with the en-
forcement of this (prohibition) poll
cy, those functions which are OBJ
viously within its proper province.
These are compliances in all its as
- poets as it relates to international
commerce, the importation and ex-
pcrtation Of liquors, the collection OF
Federal revenue, the prevention OF
smuggling, and in general the en-
forcement of the law within the pro-
per realm Of Federal authority. But
the business of local enforcement, by
States and cities. ought to be in the
hands Of the State and local author
ities, and 1t should be, executed in all
sincerity and good faith, as other
laws are presumed to be executed.
WILL people make the comparison?
They are busy, they take many things
for granted. are the Presidents words
to be, among those so taken and for
Eotten?? Only Time has the answer.
we have faith enough in them to be-
lftve that If they do give the situa-
tion its due consideration the re.
Spouse will be an endorsement. PEG.
pie intend to be fair but sometimes
their intentions go only for paving d
place to which most Of us do not wish
!, to get acclimated.
The Leviathan's passenger list con-