The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-04-02

For the Press.
For the Press.
Radical TribuIations,

Radical TribuIationss
Mr.. EDIToR-But there is another
class of people not quite at ease. 1t
is composed of those "who toll not,
neither do they spin,p yet Solomon,
nor any other monarch, was ever ar
rayed in riches and luxuries exceeding
their desires. They have in the last
few years, increased largely in num-
bers, power and influence. They went
into the late war, not to free the negro
not to extend suffrage, not to liberal
ize, or ameliorate; but to forage and
centralize wealth to mould the gov
ernment after the fashion of Hamilton
and the old Federalists, and to enrich
themselves.
They Justify vociforated "Union,"
aud all the time meant and hinted
''Emqire." They wrote their finan-
cial edicts, and sent them down to
Washington for confirmation. They
now command the President to send
the National Treasury up to Wall
street, and he does it. They fix the
price Of all things eat, drank, worn or
used, and in this manner collect tax
that could not be collected under its
true name. with million of bayonets.
They control all the mines, manufac-
tories, banks and railroads.. and
through these thimble-rig away all the
earnings of labor. They have con-
verted the committee rooms at the
capitol into shops where jugglers and
ehar1etans meet and practice for the
instruction of admiring constituents.
They affect the country, love the city,
and make frequent and devoted pill
grimages to Europe. With them the
Duke of Edinburg would be q most
suitable candidate for the next Presi-
dency. But powerful as these people
have become, they are not quite at
their ease. Things are not fixed to
suit them. @Their share in the gov
ernment" is not quite as permanent
as Hamilton would have fixed it, with
an Executive and Senate for life -
There has something happened to
change their convictions that "the
people are furious herd, driven about
by their passions" Laborers and pro-
ducers are left with power that dis
turbs their plans. Combinations meet
combinations. Labor refuses to or
ganize according to the requirements
of capital. Elections are not suff1-
GENTLY conservative. Education is
getting to be subversiYe-it is fine in
theory but works miserably in prac-
tice. The educated working. votin g
striker" is an elephant that puzzles
these people. They have not tanned
him yet. They are beginning to think
better of the South Carolina doctrine
that the only safety to the republican
system consists az q class Of eoorkeas
rho haze nothing to do qO5th the cote
or The government; and 1t the class be
colored or othera0iSe distinguished, so
aauch The better. They almost wish
they had observed the pledges they
made in the Crittenden Resolution af-
ter Bull Run. If the white laborers
of the North were slaves, as the ne
groes were before the war, these peo-
pie would resist a Proclamation of
Emancipation. They might assassin
ate President who would assume
such a stretch of authority. They
think it preposterous that worker
should aspire to Office, high salaries,
and an elevated position in society
and government. If he was found in
possession of much bullion, or any
considerable amount of stocks or
bonds, they would consider it f'prima
facie" evidence that he had broken in
to bank or jayhawked some express
train.
But these people have some conso-
lations. Indeed they are not without
several important compensations
which they are likely to turn to good
account. But leave them to another
time.
Possibly, too, at some other time.
some attention might profftably be
paid to the highly enhanced position
in which late events haye left the pro-
fessional classes in our population,
making them q much severer burden |
on the labor of the country than they
farmerly were. They have "struck"
for higher wages, and have been con-
sidered Z" conspirators" against the
business and peace of the country.
This problem has somewhat differ
ent solution in each profession. Bat
there is one explanation that will
serve for all the professional, trading
and supper" classes. They consider
the farmer and laborer Legitimate
plumber" l quote the words of one
of them. Yours, E.
Aurora, March, "a, 1874.