The call of the North. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1923-1924, 1923-09-14

Legislation when men have been
swept into Office at the time of a
political upheaval. To keep close to
the people is a wise admonition and
this is done by electing an entire
house of representative every two
years. The people themselves con-
stitute check on the legislative de-
partment by biennial elections. But
the check, on the other hand, from
excuses in legislation is found in the
election of senator's for terms of six
years, one-third of this body chang
ing every two years. Then, as an
additional check, the president has the
right of veto, a right which has al
ways been exercised with caution and
generally for the best interests of the
people.
Again, some people would change
the Constitution so as to give the
president full power to make treaties.
Others would make the senate the
treaty-making body. Under the Con-
stitution, the president makes trea-
ties by and with the consent Of the
senate. Dealing with foreign ma
lions is an executive function but so
jealous were our forefathers Of the
peoples right that a check was put
upon the executive branch by COM
polling concurrence by one branch of
the legislative department. This
provision has sometimes embarrassed
the president but it has saved the
people in some instances from en-
barrassing foreign alliances.
They Planned Wisely
Some people would change the Con-
stitution by having the president
elected by popular vote. "The will Of
the majority" is catchy slogan. The
Constitution now provides for the
election of president by an electoral
college, made up of electors from the
several states according to the num-
Der of representatives and senator's
from such states and elected by the
people. Our forefathers planned
even more wisely than they knew.
Under such a plan it would be pos
sible for president to be elected by
the people of New York, Massachus-
sets, and New Jersey alone. Great
as these states are, nevertheless, the
foreign influences are so great that
the tradition of the United States in
selecting an American president
might easily be upset. I maintain that
the menace that confronts the Ameri-
can people and American government
today is the spirit Of lawlessness that
is spreading over the country. 'Eter-
nal vigilance is the price Of liberty
and those who have been watching the
trend of events in America during the
past few years have been profoundly
impressed with the fact that the
American people have not been as
vigilant as in the days Of the fathers
and have permitted grave perils to
creep upon them.
Law Enforcement Asked.
Gas Klansmen we are pledged to
enforcement of the laws. Before we
can demand the enforcement Of the
laws against others, and by others, we
must ourselves obey the laws. there
fore call upon every Klansmen in
A m lea to be watchful Of his
speech and conduct that he may not
bring reproach upon himself and upon
our organization.
81 have special reference to the
laws prohibiting the manufacture and
sale of alcoholic liquors. If we know
of anyone engaged in the whisky
business, it is our duty to secure
evidence against him and place it in
the hands of the officers Of the law,
and then see to it that the officers do
their duty. We must never take the
law into our own hands on this or any
other account.
81 call upon the Klansmen of the
United States to join in making our
Organization a militant agency for
the enforcement of the prohibition
laws. Let US take the lead; let Us
be aggressive.
-K-K-K--