The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-10-23

chairman OF the RepuDllCdn OOHVeu-
ton called it. But we know that it
can not be revised. At best it may
be re-interpreted, and then only by
degrees. This is the way pointed by
the Dawes report. 1t, too, may in
the end prove impossible. But it so,
time enough will have elapsed to
take counsel with past experience
and with future prospects. For the
present no other basis for general
conference could be found. AS re-
suit the conference has been had, and
much has been achieved. All the ma
tons, including France and Germany
look to the Dawes plan for way out
of chaos. Under these circumstances
the defeat of Coolidge would be dis.
astrous. Foreign governments would
despair of our ability to sustain any
continuity of purpose. The plan
would be embarrassed or even aban-
doned; and professors against past
injustice to Germany, however sin
cere, would lay themselves open to
the charge of having encouraged the
Junker faction at the expense of the
liberal German government, and the
overwhelming majority of the Ger
man people. Ramsey Macdonald has
wisely said that it must be our pur-
poses not to rewrite but to write his
tory.
''Even more grave to my mind are
the constitutional amendments pro-
posed by LaFollette. The arguments
are familiar, and space does not al
low their detailed discussion. !
would even admit that any changes
however radical may be in meas
ure restrained by conservative in
depreciation. But this much seems
clear to me. If the ultimate decision
upon the constitutionality of a meas
ure is once left to Congress, then
our dual system of government is
doomed, the itegrity of the states is
destroyed, and every constitutional
guaranty of personal liberty which
La Toilette has so periodically champ
toned, is at the mercy of the first
historical spasm that may seize
majority in Congress.
"For illustration, free speech and
free press embrace the right to speak
and to print in foreign languages. 1t
means the right to teach such lang
uages in parochial schools. 1t means,
generally, those personal rights that
were not, as we must regretfully adj
NIT, adequately guarded by the bar
and the courts. True, injustice suf-
fered can never be corrected; but
there is vast difference between the
temporary abatement of sacred prin-
ciples and their permanent forfeiture.
Our experience must have taught us
what legalized arrest and search with
out warrant might and would mean.
If compelled to choose. | am there
fore much more interested in the con-
stitutional preservation of these rights
for the future than I am in an indig-
nant discussion about their admins
trative disregard in the past.
eff I agreed with LaFollette upon
every other point, which I do not, l
should have to oppose him upon this
ground alone. We are told that if
elected he would present no danger,
because he could not secure the adop-
ton of these amendments. True;
but that explanation overreaches it
self. His following is made up of a
collection of discordant professors.
He has not done what Ramsey Mac
Donald did in hammering this follow
ing into shape upon the anvil of con-
viction. But be that as it may, I
would not if I felt ever so secure,
stultify myself by giving support to
constitutional amendments that in
my judgment strike at the founda-
ton of our institutions.
"Again, LaFollette is applauded as.
the champion of personal liberty; and
rightly so. No true American can
forget his record in the days of blind
intolerance, cowardly oppression and
vindictive persecution by public and
by private agencies; when it could be
truly said that "War hath no fury like
the non-cambatant. can not be
unmindful of the injustice suffered
by men and women during that dis
tressing period. But what was has