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Question: Resolved, That free institutions in the United States are now in danger."
Brief for the Affirmative.H. A. BULL and J. W. WORTHINGTON.
Best general references: Theodore Roosevelt, Practical Politics; Testimony before Lexow Committee in New York Tribune, Oct. 2-Nov. 4, 1894; Century, XLVI, 151, 314, 475, 635, 789 (1893); Bishop J. H. Vincent in Forum, XV, 261-268; E. D. Mead, The Roman Catholic Church and the Public Schools.
I. The people are indifferent to public affairs. Nation LVII, 4.
II. Our political institutions are in danger. - (a) Management in the hands of bad men, e.g., Quay, Gorman. - (b) Spoils system. - (c) Bribery: Jenks in Century, Oct. 1892; F. J. Stimson, Address on Bribery. - (d) Excessive representation of ignorance.: small western states. - (e) Foreign vote: Pol. Sci. Q., IX, 426 (Sept. 1894).
III. The rights of the individual are in danger. - (a) Suppression of the vote: Hart, Essays on Government, p. 32. - (b) Lynching: Forum XVI, 300 (Nov. 1893). - (c) Oppression by legal authorities: Lexow testimony. - (d) Excessive organization.
IV. There is danger in existing social conditions. - (a) Right to earn one's living abridged: Century, above. - (b) Hostile feeling of labor towards capital: Homestead and Chicago strikes. -(c) Monopolies.
V. The Roman Catholic Church is dangerous to free institutions. - (a) Its power is increasing. - (1) By growth. - (2) By centralization of discipline: Satolli. - (b) Its policy. (1) Destroys individual liberty: W. E. Gladstone, Vatican Decrees and Civil Allegiance, p. 13. (2) Keeps Roman Catholics apart from other citizens: Parochial schools, and C. M. B. A. - (3) Is political and asserts supremacy over local government: Pope's Encyclical in Amer. Cath. Q., XIX, 785 (July 1894).
Brief for the Negative.M. A. ALDRICH and W. S. YOUNGMAN.
Best general references: C. W. Eliot in Forum XVIII, 129 (Oct. 1894); C. W. Eliot, Phi Beta Kappa Oration for 1888, in Our Day II, 106 (Aug. 1888); Jas. Bryce, American Commonwealth, 2nd ed. II, 354-364, 474-486; Jas. Bryce, The Predictions of Hamilton and De Tocqueville; J. R. Lowell, Democracy; N. P. Gilman, Socialism and the American Spirit; E. Boutmy, Studies in Constitutional Law, Part 2, Section 6.
I. The imperfections in our free institutions are magnified. - (a) Similar evils in the past have been met. - (1) Shay's Rebellion, Van Holst I, 35. - (2) Whiskey Rebellion, Van Holst I, 97. - (3) Slavery. - (b) Even supposed dangers have hopeful aspects; C. W. Eliot in Forum XVIII, 148-141,
II. The enormous advantages of our free institutions are underated. - (a) As they stand our institutions are second to none. - (1) They unite the advantages of English institutions with greater individual freedom: Jas. Bryce, II, 474-486.
III. Our people are fully able to cope with emergencies. - (a) They have already done so. - (1) Secession. - (2) Slavery. - (3) Chicago Anarchists: J. E. Gary in Century XIV, 803 (Apr. 1893) - (b) They are doing so today. - (1) Movement toward restricted immigration. - (2) Scientific charity. - (2) Civil Service. - (4) Universal education: W. L. Wilson's Boston Lecture, Nov. 12, 1894. - (5) Ballot Reform. - (6) Social reform. - (7) Overthrow of Tammany.
IV. Our Constitution is adequate. - (a) It developes, - (1) By Amendment. - (2) By Interpretation. - (3) By usage: Jas. Bryce, I, 350-397.
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