THli FARMER AND THE REFERENDUM. 421 



must be remembered, however, that Switzerland is a small 

 country with a population native to the soil, and familiar with 

 its history and traditions. Its neutrality in time of war being 

 guaranteed by the great powers of Europe, it has no very 

 perplexing questions of foreign policy, and is able to devote 

 its entire iiseal energies to administration and improvements, 

 as to which the peo})le are well informed.* The trouble in 

 the United States would arise from the concentration in certain 

 localities of large numbers of races not well qualified for self- 

 government and whose unsettled and revolutionary ideas 

 would make much trouble for our native people. They are 

 not strong enough, however, to do much harm. The Amer- 

 ican race is sensible and sturdy, and will have its way. 



*It is also stated that one very strong reason for the establishment of 

 the referendum in Switzerland is the fact that, although that country has a 

 constitution, it has no Supreme Court authorized to declare laws unconstitu- 

 tional and void. There being, therefore, no check upon the Legislature except 

 its own sense <of duty to obey the Constitution, and no means of preventing 

 the enforcement of unconstitutional laws, should any such be enacted, the 

 referendum became an essential security for the enforcement of the will of the 

 people. " 



