The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-05-08
ignihcant was the power of organized capital

significant was the power Of organized capital
ous functions to. days Yet on The Ioth dav of
July, 1882, in his immortal veto message these
were the faithful words OF the hero OF New
Orleans and the expounder OF a true democ-
racy:
erful too often bend the acts of the govern
ment to their selfish purposes. Distinctions
in society will always exist under every Just
e eSYeTnme en- Eq9alty Of talents Of edn-
duced by human Institutions. In the full
enjoyment of the gifts of heaven and
irtue Sry nan IL enusI nTif,e anu
lection by law. But when the laws undertake
10 add to their natural and just advantages
artificial distinctions; TO grant titles gratuites
and exclusive privIl. ges; to make the rich
richer and the potent more powerful the hum
BILE members OF society, the farmers, mechan-
les and laborers, who have nt fther the time
nor the means of securing ike favOrs to them
selves, have right to complain OF the injus-
tice OF their government
There are necessary evils in government.
Its evils exist only in its abuses. II il would
heaven does ii rains, shower its favors alike on
the high and the low, the rich and the poor. 1t
perience should teach US wisdom. Most of the
difficulties our government now encounters,
and most of the dangers which 1mpend over
orr Union, have sprung from an abandon
ment of the legitimate OBJECTS OF government
by our national legislation and the adoption
of such principles as are embodied in this act.
with equal protection and equal benefits, but
have besOught us to make them richer by act
of congress. BY attempting TO crafty their
desires we have, in the results of our legisa-
ton. arrayed section against section, interest
against interest, and man against man, in
fearful cOTnmOtlOn which threatens 10 snake
the foundations of our Union. Ii is time to
pause in our career, to review our principles,
and, If possible, revive that devoted patriot
ism and spirit of compromise which distin
guished the sages of the revolution and the
fathers our Union.
If we can not at once, in justice to inter
ests vested under mprovident legisla-
ton, make our government what it ought
to be, we can, at least, t'ke stand
against all new grants OF monOpolles and eX-
elusive privileges; against any prostitution OF
our government to the advancement of the
few at the expense of the many, and in favor
of compromise and gradual reform in our code
OF laws and system OF political economy.
These principles were enunciated nearly half
a century ago. They were called forth by the
first attemp pts of consolidated wealth to control
the public affairs of this country. With them
their great author confronted the 1nclpient
steps of the money power TO seize upon the
l gIsation of this government. One national
bank with a mOneyed influence of perhaps
100000, 900 then menaced the rights and utter
ests of the people. Now Over 1900 national
banks, with the control of more than two
Thousand millions of money. represent the
gratuitieS and exclusive privileges which, in
the language of Jackson, "malxe the rich rich
er and the potent more powerful" The evil
which he sought to destroy at its birIh has in
our time become a colossal giant, dominant
and absolute in every department of the gov
eminent. He warned his countrymen against
au infant in Its Grad e, now grown TO be a
monster, whose desolatlng hoof prints are to
be found invading all the thresholds of indus
try and business from one ocean to the other.
JecksOn plead for reform in our financial SyS-
tenn when the cloud of danger appeared no
bigger than a mans hand in our political sky.
+ The whole heavens are black. and nothing
save the application OF his doctrines will ever
again give a shining sun over our heads.
Let us SlgnaIiZe our devo ion to these doc
trines by an act of legislation for the benefit
I nrOStratp business and destitute labor. The
repeal of the law compelling the payment of
all debts in coin from and after the LIST of jan
uary next will bring light and hone TO mill
lions of darl1ened homes. 1t will cut the accur-
sed ligatures of contraction, permit the money
of the country, the arterial circulation OF bust
ness lifet to flow again in healthful currents and
pear, activity and prosperity will revive, the
dead will come to life, and new sounds Will be
heard, the sounds OF busy, cheerful, happy
labor.
I No act of this government since the adj
4 vent of peace at AppomattoX, Is years ago.has
been hailed with such joy as viii ring through
the land over the repeal of this pernicious
l law-the deadly upaS tree of American legiS-
lation. Nor will rejolcings be confirmed
/ will ascend from every quarter; from
/ the labOTing masses of New England, New
/ York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the en-
/ tire Atlantic SeabOard, as wei from that
/ mighty seat OF present and future political
and agricultural empire, the valley of the Mis-
/ sssippi. The coast of the Pacific, too, viii re-
spOnd, and the whole people VIII once more
/ leap forward under natural laws, and not UNI
| der artificial restraints imposed by the selfish
! greed or favored classes. feeling of content
ment ana obedience TO law Will spring up In
millions of hearts that are now sore, reckless
/ and defiant under n sense of wrong. Popular
relief will insure public tranquility, the turbu-
lence of distress in the labor regions will cease
and even the money power itself will AT last
find that an act of justice to the people. though
! long delayed and reluctantly conceded, is g
good investment.