Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-08-25
Facts Worth Reading and Considering

Corporate monopoly aud military despotism
against the people and Liberty, is the issue
that is rapidly shaping itself for trial in these
United States More than sixty years ago,
one of the most distinguished and philosophic
of American thinkers and statesman, said in
writing Of the dangers to free Institutions from
the powet Of corporations and corporate wealth,
that some words were frRateiy despo:ic, and
among them was Corporation" lie was CON-
batting the idea that had then taken root 10
the minds Of legislators aud judges, that cor
potatious were capable Of being endowed by
legislative charters with a sort of charmed eS-
isience, which withdrew them from legislative
control, and entitled them to a special pro,ec-
ton at the hands Of the courts against any at
tempt to abridge or revoke what such bJdes
might claim to be, their chartered rights. The
dangers apprehended by that wise thinker are
no longer mere conjectures or fanciful specu-
latons The immense power Gf corporations
the influence Of corporate wealth in giving
direction to the policy Of governments, both
Federal and State, and in controlling legisla-
ton 10 ts own interest, and the eXactons and
demands made upon the labor OF the country
70 support it, and more alarming still, the ap-
peal for an enlargement Of Feleral powers,
and the creation Of standing army to sup
press any uprising of the people against the
despotism of corporate monopoly are facts
which now stare us in the face, and should be
carefully considered by people who do not
wish TO be bound hand and foot, and enslaved
by that most tyranical Of all powers-tbe mo-
neg poorer 1t has no sympathy with the la
boring toiiug masses, nor does it care for the
preservation of liberty, If to preserve it, re-
quires any sacrifice Of wealth, ease or COM
fort II would gladly write its heraldry in
the dollar, and acquire titles by tramplns IN
der its golden heel honest industry. 10 It's
presence it would have the laboring man stand
with uncovered brow, and "the learned pate
duck to the golden fool" The wear and tear
of muscle, and the physical agony of the
working man, who tolls in the sweat OF his
| brow TO gather tribute for it, to the dcpriva-
ton of daily bread for his wife and little ones,
are the offerings laid upon its affairs by the
/ overtaxed burdened toilers of the shop, tue
Geld and the mine. It's selfish eyes, blinded
by avarcc, shed no tears, and its conscience,
| petrifed by gold, feels no pity or remorse when
| it looks upon novels and want, poverty and
| squalidness, hunger disease, and suffering, oc-
casioned by It's seldshness and cupitity, For
bearance ceases to be a virtue in the presence
Of such a gigantic power. 1t must be re-
strained, and the unholy alliance between cor
porate monopoly and governments, brought to
an end, if the people are to be secured in their
/ liberties Let them organize 10 meet the APP
preaching issue at the ballot box, ere it be too
late to remedy the evil by peaceful means.
And from the leading editorial of the same
paper and same issue, we make the following
extract, which embodies our sentiments upon
the subject it treats and which our friend did
not request US to spread before our readers
ave take it that the law 10 every State
fully protects every individual and corporation
in their rights, and we further believe that
neither the United States or any State has a
right to establish tribunal and compel cor
porations and employees to refer their differ
ences TO it. The general government has no.
thing TO do with such differences, except when
called upon by State 10 help preserve the
peace, neither has the States any right to in
terlere, unless the peace is violated Work
men have right TO strike if thew desire and
there is 10 power In this country that car
compel them TO continue 10 work and refer
their grievances 20 some tribunal where they
would have all the expense and delay of lti.
CATION TO contend with. The railroads and
other corporations have perfect right to dis
regard the strikers aud continue their business
and If the strikers attempt to interfere with
that right the corporations or individuals ef
fccted can have the offenders arrested and car
invoke the military power of the State, and /
il is not sufficient of the United States to MAKE
the arrests -