Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-02-12
! BREAKERS AHEAD.

On the eve OF the Centennial year,
there is good deal said about The bles-
sings Of o Republic, the simplicity OF
our forefathers both in public md pri-
vate life, and the glorious work achieved
by the American Union Id The way Of
progress and reform. In all sections
of our country patriotic sentiments are
awakened by the revival Of incidents in
the early history Of our career, and the
people are asked to pledge themselves
anew TO the principles which underlie
our institutions. This is as IL should
be. Too much stress cannot be put up-
on the simple ideas of government
which were held by the founders Of this
Republic. And in this connection, re-
marks the New Haven Union, il is per-
tinent to ask: Are we to-day following
out these simple ideas? Has the spirit
of the Declaration of Independence been
lived up to? Are our law-makers and
public officials Of today so true to the
principles which underlie our institu-
tutions that the people have great reason
to rejoice and feel that they and. their
children are secure in their rights and
liberties for all time to come?
1t is easy to boast of great achieye-
ments, and to grow eloquent over the
past, but the present condition of the
people of this country is cause for seri-
GUS apprehensions. Is there any man
so blind as not to be able to see that
money not principle, is the ruling power
in the United States to-day? There are
evidences of this ON every hand. The
nationallegislative bed dyisflledwith tool
of the money power. Seven-tenths of
the members Of Congress represent the
wealthy classes That body is made
up of lawyers, bankers, manufactures
and merchants The industrial class
comprise more than seyen-tenths Of the
population, but it has representation
of only three-tenths. Thus, when the
tussel comes between the monopolists
and the people, the latter are defeated
every time. If by accident, or by the
force Of popular opinion, just meas
ure of relief is pushed through Congress
the money power has still chance to
defeat the popular will, andsa Presiden-
tial veto is interposed.
The situation is about the same in
the several States. Our Legislative bod
les are controlled by various combina-
tions, all inirnicai to the interests of
the great mass of people. Our State
and municipal officers of importance
are generally men of wealth. The inter
ests of railway, insurance, banking and
manufacturing corporations are guard
ed with jealous care, but who looks
out for the working classes? If labor
bureaus are established for the purpose
of ascertaining the condition Of the in
dustrial classes, they are manipula-
ted in the interest of the nanufacsu-
ers. III it is demanded that public
markets be erected the cry Of Socialism
gees forth ii capital combines the
State will project the organization; if
labor combines to protect itself from
the assaults of capital, the State will
use force to break up the combination.
The whole tendency Of our legislation
is to protect capital, which is strong,
and ignore labor, which is weak.
This was the design Of the founders
of the American Republic, and the fact
that money has become so powerful in
this country should cause our Csnten-
NAL orators to pause and reflect. The
people should be forewarned Of their
danger. A Republican form Of govern
ment will not long survive the evils
that now sfflict the body-poiltic,
When il becomes so that poor man
cannot be candidate for, OF hold aus
important office in the countrya state
of affairs which exists to-day it isfime
to be thinking ofrighting things. There
are perils ahead for this Republic, and
the sooner the people prepare for them
the better.