The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-10-15
ANINFAMOUS SWINDLE.

AN INFAMOUS SWlNDLE.
The world was startled, several years
ago, by an imperial act which was her.
aided as the harbinger of the final tri-
umph of human freedom. The En-
peror of Russia, the most despotic mon
arch on earth, by one edict, emancipat-
ed from the chains of slavery, millions
of his subjects. The unparalleled mag
nanimity called forth the plaudits of
humanity throughout the world. 1t
was followed by policy and
by positive measures looking to the OBJ
liberation of every trace of the degra.
dation of slavery, the amalgamation
of the Serfs with the great body of the
people, their incorporation into the
great brotherhood of citizenship with
equal rights and equal privileges.
What if it had come to pass that Off
GERS of the crown, high in Imperial ia
vor. having organized system OF an
institution, with protested friendship
for the emancipated race and 18th the
declared purpose of teaching these poor
ignorant beings habits of economy and
thrift and of taking care Of and guard
ing their hard-earned savings, the first
fruits of free manhood, had deliberate
ly robbed and plundered them and left
them penniless in the clutches of mer-
CHESS poverty. Think how outraged
humanity would have raised its voice
in solemn protest. Think how the
great political reformers of morals in
our country would have denounced
the act.
What have we in our midst? Four
millions of slaves were set free by the
war. They were homeless and penni-
less, fed on the bounty of the govern
ment, and looking to its liberty-crowned
shield for protection. They were
clothed in the robes of citizenship
and given the inestimable boon of
the ballot. They were taught to
vote for the Republican party as their
Saviour and Redeemer. A freedman S
Bureau was established to manipulate
their political organization. 1t plum
dered them without mercy. And
then came the most barbarous swindle
Of the age, wrong which will remain
blot on our civilization forever.
The poor enfranchised slaves went to
work. They were acquiring habits of
economy and saving. No sooner was
this seen than band Of Republican
philanthropists got together and secured
from Congress law establishing what
is now known as the Freedmen S
Savings Bank, with the power to estab-
fish branches throughout the country.
The bank was started and branches
opened throughout the South-the
parent bank being located at Washing
ton. The Freedmen f1ocked to it and
deposited their small earnings. Some
months ago, it was whispered that it
was swindling coz Germ. The newspa-
pers were impressed into service and
the matter was hushed up and the banks.
rotten to the core, went on receiving
deposits. Finally the end came, the
banks closed and the poor depositors
were sent adritt on the world.
Not cent of dividend has been paid.
One oftwenty per cent. only has for a
long time been promised. 1t
would require 100000 to
pay dividend of 20 per cent, and the
Bank has on hand only $4,000 with
which to meet It.
Is there any need for comment! The
story is laden with unutterable wrong.
1t is proof conclusive that these man.
ipulators of votes care naught for else.
They starve the bodies of their victims
while singing in their ears equal rights
and liberty. Woe unto you, scribes,
Pharisees, hypocrites! for We pay 1.-THE
Of mint, and anise and cummin, and
have omitted the weightier matters OF
the law. Judgment, mercy and faith
these ought We to have done and not to
leave the other undone.-St. Pau
Dispatch.
Recently two elderly Scotch