Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-04-19
GENERALIZATION.

CENLHALAAAIAO
Since the first notes of civil war
sounded in the land, our once repub-
lican government has been drifting
into Capitalization. During the civ
il struggle the rig hts of free speech
and free press were ruthlessly
trampled down and the act justified
by the tyrant's plea of necessity
Since the war the powers of the
general government have been eX-
tended on the same plea. The peo-
pie have grown indifferent to usur-
patton, or blinded by partizan and
sectional passion, honor and APP
plaud the usupers. So gradual
ly have the old land marks
been obliterated that the masses
are, in manner, ignorant of the
change and the point to which the
drifting. This change,
so fatal to liberty, may be seen in
the character of our public men; in
the power of large corporations and
monopolies; in the rings and combi-
nations formed to control legisla-
tion; in the omnipotence of money
at Washington and in every State
capitol; and in the universal tenden-
cy of almost every class and calling
to combine against every other class
throughout the Republic.
There are rings of manufacturers;
rings of railroads; rings of capital
lists; and unfortunately Congress
and the State Legislatures are their
representatives, and not the peo-
pies. Manufacturers buy high tar
ifs and double their profits on the
people; railroads buy enormous sub
sides and privileges, and then op-
press the masses who pay them; and
capitalists purchase legislation, by
which they pocket millions of the
peoples money by specializing on
their necessities. Railroads, tele-
graphs, manufacturing, and other
capital combinations, are now the
controlling powers in the govern
ment; and such have been their OPP
pressions and corruptions that the
mechanics, farmers and merchants
are also forming combinations and
rings to protect and further their
respective interests, under this new
and fatal system.
All over the country we hear of
merchants unions" farmers
oranges" and "mechanic's socie-
ties" all secret organizations fore
ed into existence by capital and
monopoly expressions; and the ar
gument is 1--WE must organize to
meet organization" Ere long all
these combinations, through their
agents, viii stand upon the floors OF
Congress, and in the halls of our leg
islatures, with purse in hand, to
contend for the supremacy; yes, and
darker still the picture grows. In
terest arrayed against interest, clan
against clan; and passion, without
the balance wheels of honor and pa
triotism, ruling the hour! Where
will it all end? 1t must end in an
archy, the last sad condition of Re-
publics, before the yoke of the des-
pot is accepted as balm. And be
it remembered, that all conflicts of
this kind, conflicts that lead through
rivers of blood, and over deserts that
once blossomed as the rose, there
is no resting place short Of the bane-
full shadow cast by an imperial
throne.
But is there no remedy for these
evils? els there no balm in Gilead,
is there no kind physician there" to
heal the body polite? Yes, there is
a remedy, and only one. A free,
impartial and virtuous Press can
alone beat back the gathering forces
of these rival storms, and save the
Republic from the greed and passion
of her ungrateful children.
Two wrongs never made n right.
The rings of the capitalists, to OPP
press and despoil the masses are
wrongs. The Credit Mobiler and
funding bill rings, by which the peo-
pie are swindled, are wrongs. The
monopolies, which enrich tine few
at the expense of the many, are
wrongs. The railroad combine
tions, through which the farmers
suffers, in oppressive'freight charges
and unjust determinations, are
wrongs. The combination of capt.
talists, to Cypress labor, and the for
nation of Congressional and Legis-
lative rings, to enrich the few at the
expense of the great mass, are
wrongs. All these are wrongs
which cry aloud for redress. But
the formation of secret mechanical,
agricultural, or mercantile societies,
each independent of tho other, and
rivals working each against the 9TH
err, aud proposing 10 employ the
same means to accomplish their
en- :, will only augment the evil
aud increase the danger, instead of
bringing about a wholesome refor-
nation and promoting the general
good. Besides, the contest would
be unequal: for the great monied
corporations would always win in a
fight of this kind, even if they had
TO tall back upon imperialism. This
is what we dre-d, and what we
would avoid. Hence we appeal to
the Press to come 10 The rescue of
the Republic. In the battles of free
dom the Press has always been the
first and last in the field. The Press,
that bulwark of liberty, against
which gold and tyrants never pre-
vail, is the only hope of the country.
Mr., Jefferson said he would rather