Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-10-26
From the Richmond lYhig.l
The Rich Mems Candidate.


We had intended publishing a full and able
letter from Mr. A. Ii. H. Stuar. on the situa-
ten, but it was crowded out at the time, and
we are forced to content ourselves with an ex-
tract which touches point Of vast moment to
the laboring population Of this country. Mr..
Stuart makes it perfectly clear that the Gov
ernment is run in the exclusive interest of the
money -changers-the men who toll not, neth-
er do they spin, and yet they reap all the fruits
Of the labors of the masses
Gen. Grant is very appropriately the rich
mans candidate. There is Eot, perhaps,
another individual in this broad land, who has
such intense reverence for rich people. Wealth
is his one test of greatness, of patriotism and
of merit. This inflmity Of his nature was
early detected by the sharp jobbers Of Wall
street, who at once captured him by making
him one of themselves. They stuffed his
pockets with United States fivc-twentes, en-
dowed him with town houses and cottages by
the sea, and gave him interests in Seneca quar-
res and stock speculations lie worshipped
\. Il. Stewart in his rent-roll-he surrounded
his counci-board with milenaires, who were
able to give good gifts, his private friendships
appear to have been gagged by the capacity
of his faverites for sharp transactions. His
intimacy with Fisk, Jr., was ascrbed to the
oyeriowng exchequer and lavish hand Of that
ura a1v & tl,a ~ l,,lla 10
the one idol of American worship, it may be
that the chief magistrate is the true type of his
age and country, and to that fact is Justly in
debted for his prominence in the Republic
But there is a limit to this devotion. While
the few are amassing stupenduous fortunes
without work, and by a tool of their own,
welding the whole power Of the Government
to grind and Cypress the toiing millions, who
create all values and are the main-stays sf the
national prosperity and greatness, it may &C.
cur to these last. that they reap an inadequate
share Of their own fruits, and that they, by
their numbers, are entitled to govern the coun-
try for their own good. 1t is not necessarily
question of observation-disclosures the
tensts Of that sect are widely diiused and have
an imu,ense hold on a large portion of hui
mainly. But when Mr.. Henry ClewS or Mr.
Jay Cooke can in a s;agl day, by an order of
the Secretary of the Treasury, make million
Of dollars, the millions, VINO toll tor bare
subsistence, may well question the wisdom,
justice and bsneGcenco Of a Government
which makes such unequal distribution Of It's
faverS
Asraiianism is nothing new. 1t is as old
as the Gracchi and the Mons Sacer of the Ro-
nan Plebs. 1t had for champions Catiline
aud Cethesus-names Of highest patrician dig
nifty Descendants of the nOblest names on |
the roll Of Battle Abbey were among Crom-
wells invincibles. a Moutmorcncy moved
the abolition of monarchy in France and we
believe there are lneal descendants of old King |
Powhatan, who are now Radicals and Jewellers
The saactity Of property, guaranteed by the
Constitution, has been invaded and annulled |
by the Federal Government. TLiSis a sufficient
precedent for the thousands, whose faui-
lies are suffering for meal in New York city, |
to divide among themselves the sudden and
vast accumulations Of Mr.. Cews aud Mr.. |
Cooke, OF Mr. Grant himself
When people SOW dragons teeth they may
expect to reap harvest Of vpers