Evening star., 1944-08-04
Urses Federal Union Again

To the Editor Of The Star:
In his letter to The Star, c. 8. Long
acre comes out against "superstate."
We probably all can agree that the
people Of America desire no super
tyranny, but think 1t would be well
to examine the problem more closely
than Mr.. Lonsacre does when he simply
calls 1t by . bad name.
In Union Now" Clarence STREET. says:
It Is not size that the individual
really fears in the state, but power over
himself, interference with his liberties,
meddling in his life. He resents his
travel being vexed by more and more
frontiers and frontier restrictions, his
savings wiped out by monetary magic,
his market cut OF by tariff, his source
OF supply ended by a quota. He resents
having higher taxes to pay, being forced
to depend increasingly on the state,
having to turn to its soup line to live,
being exposed to more military service.
He resents, In short, being afilicted with
more and more government. 1t Is the
snooper state, the trooper state, that
men really fear when they shy at the
epithet. superstate, and that superstate
today is the nation state"
The thought-saving epithet super
state" does not appear-at least I have
not seen tin the literature OF 1887,
but the same sentiment was there in the
opposition to adoption Of our Federal
Constitution. In answer, Alexander
Hamilton wrote, in the Federalist, No. 8:
Safety from external danger is the
most powerful director of national con.
duct. Even the ardent love Of liberty
will after time give way to its dictates.
The violent destruction of life and prop
erty incident to war, the continual effort
and alarm attendant on a state of con.
tinual danger. will. compel nations the
most attached to liberty to resort for
repose and security to institutions which
have tendency to destroy their civil
and political rights. To be more safe,
they at length become willing to run
the risk Of being less free"
Mr. Longacre Is right in objecting to
world government along the lines of the
Roman Empire. Such a world govern
ment was Hitler's objective-and he did
not miss 1t by much. Americans desire
as much home rule as is consistent with
their happiness. but we must also realize
that there must be an instrument ade-
quate to cope with the anarchy presently
with us in the realm of world affairs.
The only agency Of that kind that has
ever worked-and 1t has always worked
is federal union. A federal union Is
not "supergovernment" In the sense
that 1t is beyond the control of the
voters, because in federal union the
voter is represented as an individual In
exactly the same manner as he Is repre-
sented In his town, county and state
governments I have sufficient faith in
democracy to have absolutely no fear Of
an International federal union formed
on democratic principles, in which I and
my fellow humans have voice rs voters.
If "the United States should not again
meddle in Europe's quarrels." We had all
better start to support international
government. Without 1t, we shall have
war. and two world wars in my genera
tion,- into which we were dragged against
our will, is enough warning for me.
CAPT. JOHN F. SCHMIDT, u. s. A.
Clay on Individualism
Tc the Editor of The Star:
For the benefit of your many readers
hope you will grant morsel of space
to quote the following lines from Henry
Clay:
"If there be any description Of rights,
which, more than any other, should
unite al parties in all quarters OF the
Union, it is unquestionably the rights
Of the person. No matter what his vo-
cation, whether he seeks subsistence
amid the dangers OF the sea, or draws
1t from the bowels Of the earth, or from
the humblest occupations Of mechanic
cal life-wherever the sacred rights of
an American freeman are assafled, all
hearts ought to unite and every arm be
braced to vindicate his cause"
These few lines should be remembered
by every true citizen OF the United
States. for IT Is that spirit that helps
to make q nation strong and respected
k1arnalwina,k kha ~pnrld