The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-09-03
THE PRESENT STRUGGLE IN OHIO.

THE PRESENT STRUGGLE IN OHIO.
The importance Of the present contrc-
versy in Ohio is literally incalculable
This is indicated by every movement Of
the times. Our institutions for some years
have been undergoing wide and com.
prehensive revolution. Up to the palpa.
bic commencement Of that revolution. in
the winter Of 49-'5O, the struggle between
privileged establishments in the body poll.
tic on the one hand, and the principles Of
popular equality on the other, had been
steady and intense. For many years the
cause Of the people seemed more or less
critical, and sometimes desperate. The
advocates Of immunities and special ia.
vors TO the wealthy classes of the State.
rallied sometimes boldly proclaiming their
clients the greatest interest OF the State.
Sometimes it was urged that in the special
promotion Of the claims Of capital, the
welfare Of the people would follow as
consequence. Again driven from these
specious grounds, the wings would appear
with new professions. Then the direct in
terests Of the people had grown into the
sudden consequence in their eyes. They
urged the establishment OF associations of
money then, as means oil tightening the
burdens of the people, and affording them
facilities for the acquisition Of wealth.
Sometimes the interests Of business men
were held to be primary objects OF politi-
cal action; as means of general welfare.
AT other stages of affairs their interests
were defined to be the legitimate end of all
movements. However, whether the mon
eyed classes were assigned the chief or
secondary place in whig policy, they have
always managed in their administration OF
the State to bring Legislative action to bear
first in their favor, while the great body of
community have been made merely tribu-
tary to the Government. deriving no fruit
from it but TO be punished for crimes in in.
dividual cases. TO serve on juries, and as
Witnesses in deciding upon rights in dis
pute between litiyating parties, holding or
claiming broad proprietary acres, or heavy
pecuniary claims.
The democratic party recognize other
identities in the political body as fit OBJ
jects of care-whose veal or i'll demands !,
either Legislative prescription or forbcar-
ance, as well as those who are known as
Capitalists. They look upon the proper
action OF government to be for equal care
toward poor and rich. We think this
hitherto parental iavoritism toward the men
who can contribute thousands to the stock
Of bank or a railroad corporation. while
neglecting the wants and necessities of
those who toll in the hot sun to raise bread
for the banker. or those who delve in ditch
and quarry to groove out the tracks OF
railroads, should come to an end. The
State should abolish these invidious des-
tinciions in favor OF men able to live and
fatten without such aid, and turn her at
tention to such ranks of her citizens as
|orm the solid foundations OF society. III
we have hitherto not only neglected them.
but derived the essence Of public support
from them, to be yielded in turn to the
banker and general monopoly,
let it cease. Society lives upon labor.
Those who perform that labor have been
permitted to labor on.
never cared for but to draw upon their
strong arms for our wars. and tax them for
the inexplicable mysteries Of peaceable
expenditure. They achieve our victories
when our honor is assailed or our terrific.
ries are invaded. They place their strong
shoulders under the edifice Of government
when her credit begins 10 stagger, or when
spectators want 10 borrow money to make
banks or to build thoroughtares. These
pillars of State, upon whose virtue. honor,
good order. bravery and generosity, we
must rely, whether in times Of collision or
quiet-are the masses;-and yet select one
of them, the yeomanry. whose individual
prosperity keeps pace with the Aourishing
green bay tree, or the man of capital.
whose success in making his fortune is
owing alone to monopoly-legslation, for
which the masses pay their individual mite
and aggregate millions Of money in time
Of peace. and pour out blood and life in
times Of war!
fIas the conduct Of government in any