Show THE LIMIT OF AUTHORITY y THE question often arises as to what eilent extent those who are elected 0 or r appointed to public posit positions ious are arc servants to the people and how far they shall be permitted to go before 1 their heir acts become encroachments encroach ments to be resisted we all comprehend that resistance si st stance to duly constituted amt authority hority is a dangerous dabi erous condition of things in auy any coiN community unity meaning as it does one of these several things or some of tie elements of all riot anarchy ana reby a reign of terror insurrection rebellion revolution treason but on the other band to say that til a t because certain people hold commissions empowering them to do certain things they are neit not object to immediate restraint under certain circumstances is to say that without warning 11 or volition our system can be changed from its popular and representative character to a despotism an oligarchy a condition ot of thralldom dom never contemplated by the founders of ef our government and which they themselves set aside b by y taking the law into their own hands uprooting every vestige of temporary absolutism between these two extreme points there is a sate safe middle ground which it ts Is grea grealy ay to our interest to ascertain then maintain in arriving at a conclusion cl tae t ue natural rights and innate wrong of man must most be duly considered tiie former leads him to contemplate himself as what be real really y is the paragon of animals born on the same terms and in the same manner as his bis fellows with equal faculties similar tastes like dispositions anda and a com common des etiny tiny so that naturally he is prone to bow to nothing and nobody of mortal clay this is his natural bent but pursued unrestrained to its logical conclusion what would we have instead of the measure of peace and liberty now prevailing As each individual vidu algrew grew to manhood or womanhood chis unfettered state would produce classifications based upon physical power courage and proportions a condition in which the intellectual part would simply be a guide to the physical in making this terraced state of socie y fixed and immovable the lowest class would be ruled by the next highest they by the next and so 80 on to the top where absolute and autocratic aristod racy would find a complete exemplify cation yet this boulo be exact and unrestrained democracy ilar rule the sway of the people in their individual capacity the weak and helpless would bethe slaves of the great and powerful and their offspring would inherit and wear the garb of perpetual lity unless physically and spiritedly capable of fighting their w way a y further furt tier along it is plain to the most casual thinker chat there can be neither order safety noi justice without hampering I 1 human nature the marner manner in which such hampering is accomplished is various in different countries some people can endure more than others chud and be lust just as spirited and liberty roving but all must concede some portion of their natural rights and their established individuality I 1 order that conditions conducive to the welfare of the whole may be obtained this giving ving up of sacred possessions must like every other begal transaction have a consideration of an equally valuable character to offset it which watch in this instance is protection and the general weal la IN gaining these the citizen loses nothing because his return is fis equal or superior to his hid advancement it only needs that those who are the trustees of the valuables receive them in the proper spirit and control them with due regard tor for the objects in view in doing doi ng this they need not be overbearing tc accomplish regard for their au hority nor brutal to maintain respect for their position neither should they be timid or halting if a policeman a marshal or guy ny executive officer office r of a court will only bear in mind mina at all times and places that he is dealing with those ano indirectly employ him and his bis salary he will then have placed himself upon a correct and sound basis baals for the performance for mance of goud good and satisfactory wo work rk but when he permits his symbol of authority to become a badge of superiority land and takes advantage of his position to do things which neither the law as properly construed nor the best instincts of our race can tolerate the time for the assertion of our inherited and indefeasible rights has arrived this assertion need not be by flits and feet nor by force and arms but through the channel which the offen offender jer has departed from by the means which he has unjustifiably set aside aride to make himself lordly for the time being the established tribunals sometimes these fail fai 1 through want of facilities requirements quire ments ability or virtue but when this is the case there is still no justification in adding a wrong to the one already committed all things in conn connection ec tion with wit b good governa government ent are attained by self denial patient effort unflagging patriotism and earnest ability |