The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-27

Editorial Opinions ofthe Leading Journals
upon Current Topics Compiled Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph
THE RULING MORAL FORCES OF THE
PRESENT AGE


philosophical novels has prominent charac-
ter, who moved the Governments IF Europe
as pieces are moved on O chesSboard, through
the power of his wealth. This man might
have been intended to represent Rothschild,
Cor he is an Israelite of almost unlimited
means; but he is in part creation of the
imagination, and represents the vast power
of aggregated wealth, in combination With
lofty ambition and broad craftsmanship,
working silently to accomplish great ends in
conformity with modern ideas. He is, in
fact, a sort of Rothschild and Disraeli COM
bined in one individual. In this character
is depicted one of the most potent moral
forces that control the political affairs of the
world.
AS the American republic affords the best
illustration of the fact stated above, we shall
nav more particular attention to the influence
of the power of money here. Our remarks
will apply however, to all civilized and pro-
pressive nations as well, though not, perhaps,
to the same extent. Though wealth performs
an important part in the politicslaffairs of Eu-
ropean nations, there are other moral forces
at work which we have not in this country.
Monarchical ideas, aristocratic sentiments,
the assumption of and Difference to long es-
tablished privileges, and the influence of
caste or class in society and government
prevail to a great extent in Europe. The
latter particularly-that is, the sentiment and
pride of caste or class-permeates through
all grades. This is more remarkable in
England, probably, than on the Continent.
The very costermonger is an stocrat in his
way. He affects superiority over some one
else. True, the struggle to break down these
barriers and to elevate the masses has CON-
menced. The growth of intelligence through
the press, the quickening influence of the
telegraph. ond through bringing people to-
gether by means of the rapid locomotion of
railroads, is working a great change. The
present war has done and is doing much to
enlighten the people and to uproot old ideas.
Still, as we said, the sentiments and svmpa-
thies of the Old World cling in measure to
the past. The moral force of old institutions
and habits operates yet.
We, however, are emancipated from the
European ideas of and sympathy with
monarchy, aristccracy, hereditary privileges
and distinctions of class or caste. We keep
mp with the progressive ideas and develop
ments of the times. Even the domestic
slavery of an inferior race and their political
inequality had TO be given up through the
progress of liberal sentiments which are en-
bodied in our Declaration of Independence
and in the genius of our institutions. But
with the extraordinary growth of the country
in wealth and material improvements another
power-another political and moral force
has come into existence. This newly
ueV6lOpeu power Is IN our railroads..
The enormous capital invested in these,
and the concentration of it in few hands,
comparatively, enable the managers to con-
troll, yea, to buy up if necessary political
leaders and legislatures. The railroad pro-
perty of the country of all kinds-stocks,
bonds, lands, rolling stock, buildings, manu-
factories, and money-is scarcely less than
two thousand millions of dollars The gross
annual income approaches that of the Federal
o116 fhn 70
bly,, to nearly hundred and fifty millions
year. We speak of the property at its present
estimated or nominal value, and not of the
cost of the railroads, because the stock in
many cases has been doubled or inflated more
than that. 1t must be remembered, too, that
most of these railroads earn good interest on
the inflated stock, for which the public have to
pay in increased fares and freightage. Imagine
what power this stupendous capital with its
vast annual income gives to the magnates who
control the railroads. Then look at the hun
dreds OF thousands of people either employed
on them or directly interested in them as
stockholders, bondholders, contractors or
some other way, and all under the influence
of the managers. Can we wonder that aspi-
rants for political honors bow to the mighty
power? Need we be surprised that the Legis-
latures of the different States do whatever
the railroad chiefs bid, or that even Congress
does what they wish? Such immense wealth
would be powerful in any form, in the Golfers
of the Rothschilds and other great capitalists
of Europe or in the hands of such capitalists
as the Astors and Stewards of America, but
not SO much so as when used in railroads and
other great material improvements. Its rami-
fcations extend to every portion of the coun-
try and affect all interests, and its Influence
consequently must be oo-extensive
In the time of General Jackson the cry of
alarm was raised against the money power of
the United States Bank 1t was asserted by
the Jackson party that this institution was
dangerous to the liberties of the people and
the institutions of the country. Yet its capi-
tai was only thlrty-five millions of dollars.
What an insignificant sum compared with the
railroad capital of to-day What strides the
country has made since that time-in the
short period of forty-five years Mr.. Biddle
the President of the United States Bank. was
great power in his day. The bank exercised
great influence in political affairs. There was
in fact, a similar alliance between that institu-
tion and politics to that which We see growing
up between the railroad interests and political
parties now. The tendency to consolidation
or union of interests among the different
railroad companies will increase their power
still more. A few of the principal trunk
lines-such as the Erie, New York Central,
Pennsylvania Central, Baltimore and Ohio,
the Pacific, and Illinois Central-have already
obtained control over most of the vast net
work of roads throughout the country, and a
few magnates like Vanderbilt, Gould, Scott,
Garrett, and others are virtually the masters
over the whole. What, then, are not such
men worth to political leaders or to any politi-
cal party? Our New York politicians Of Tam
many have discovered their value. They have
had the sagacity to see the mighty power OF
fha dc houo flxy 10 he