The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1878-07-09

! iuutfeutiy ttuub 10 lucOm petency ana
knavery. The responsible system says
TO every Office holder: "Ye know not
the day nor the hour" He must be al.
wavs ready to render his account. II
would educate them into a high and
/ honorable sense OF their accountability
to the people. 1t would make states
manship a profession, followed by
skilled men, educated in State craft,
and not political accident taken adyan
tage OF by charlatans and adventurers.
Under our present system 1--WE have
seen the generous purse of the nation
transferred 20 Credit Mobiliers, syndi-
Gates and gold brokers. We have seen
the power TO elect TO Office transferred
from the people to returning board.
IL is but short step from a returning
board. authorized to elect whom it may
prefer, to usurper. dispensing with
elections altogether"
That this great and indispensable
change in our Government will be ac-
complished, / do not doubt any more
than i doubt the progression OF the
human race. Whether il will be the
result OF wise aud prudent deliberation
by the people, or the outgrowth Of
threatened anarchy and revolution, is
an unsolved problem OF the not distant
future. 1t is being forced upon rs by
the logic OF events. IL will be estab-
lished through the exigencies Of the na-
ton. For as / solemnly believe that
all irresponsible Governments ultimate
ly cause the overthrow of liberty; so
does my faith in the wisdom of the
American people cause me TO belle se in
theifinal establishment of n responsible
system. "Our first revolution relieved
us from the mastery OF foreign state.
This second revolution would make US
masters of ourselves"
Next after the dangers incident to an
irresponsible government. / view with
alarm, our seemingly inherent tenden-
cy 10 demand class or sectional legisla-
tion. The foe Of freedom is the abuse
OF il. We are liable 10 forget.that 9TH
ers have rights which we are bound to
respect, and which We must respect IL
we maintain our own. The rights of per-
sonal liberty, personal security and
private property are absolute
rights belonging to every citizen.
In our endeavor to secure their fullest
enjoyment to ourselves, we trespass
upon the birthright Of our neighbor.
Looking to our own interests, we de-
mand their protection, though the
prosperity OF others may be limited or
destroyed. The whisky rebellion of
Pennsylvania in 1894; the endeavor Of
Kentucky in 1898, to abrogate an act Of
Congress; the refusal of Massachusetts,
and Connecticut to furnish troops in
1912; Virginia's resolutions under the
administration OF John Quincy Adams,
aud the nullifcation ordinances Of
South Carolina in 1895, were simply
the expression Of sectional interests
demanding sectional privileges and
powers. The ordinance of 1887, pro-
claiming freedom upon one bank OF the
Ohio, and legalizing slavery upon the
other, with all its train of compromises
eliminating in rivers of blood, was but
the Legitimate result Of sectional class
legislation.
The same influences which created
those commissions are again agitating
the body polite. Typographical
Unions and Brotherhoods Of Locomo-
tive Engineers, miners societies, and
iron Mongers associations; railroad Goa
litions aud sailing Masters companies; I;
Chambers Of Commerce and Boards Of
Trade; Merchants and Manufacturers
Unions; Bankers aud Brokers societies,
the sturdy farmers with their Oranges
are all formed and forming in every
corner OF the republic. Even the doc
tors Of physic who would cure our ills
in this life, are demanding n bureau at
Washington; while the doctors OF di-
vinity, who would save us in the life to
come, are clamoring for recognition in
the Constitution. Did those fraternities
but seek, through organization and CO.
operation, the good of society at large,
the impetus given To every branch OF
industry would be incalculable. But
from every union and brotherhood and
society and from the whole mass OF la
borers in the land arises n cry for
individual protection; while the
intrigues Of every separate interest
are insinuated through every branch OF
the general Government. Rarely have
any Of these organizations required di-
rect legislation for themselves. While
all sought the special favor and protec-
ton OF Congress, il was disguised un-
der the specious plea OF benefiting the
country. IL capital has obtained an
undue mastery over our resources, II
was accomplished solely under guise
OF the necessities OF the nation, Had
il been demanded openly, every in
stinct Of Justice would have conspired
for it's immediate and absolute subver-
sion. The very existence Of our nation
requires equal and impartial rights and
privileges for all. IL has ever been our
boast and pride that every avenue to
position and power was open and free
to the humblest citizen. Native or
foreign, bond or free, high or low.
rich or poor, are only limited in ac-
compiishing their dreams OF wealth or
honor save by the capabilities of each
individual The history Of all our men
OF great wealth, and of all our states
men is proof Of its practical as we'll as
theoretical truth.
There is an increasing belief among
many unthinking men that their condi-
ton could be improved IL the govern
ment would take upon itself the duty
OF protecting them. The struggle for
| life is n hard one. Competition re-
duces the value OF labor TO the lowest
possible amount. Seeking relief none
seems so speedy and sure as that OBJ
tanned through legislation. Could
/ Congress only decree that wages should
never go below a certain point; that
the hours Of labor should be reduced;
that public work should be furnished
when private enterprises failed; then.
il is thought, the labor problem would
be solved in fair and equitable man
ner. These are the views of blind en-
| thusiasts. or OF those who do not look
beyond their present needs and the
visible means OF satisfying them. The
cry.of the oppression Of labor by capital
is old as civilization. Each class pre-.
sents his claim with extreme passion and
prejudice. To the capitalist the labor
er is discontented. ignorant and obs,i
nate. To the laborer the capitalist Is
an overbearing purse proud tyrant. In
their angry discussion both forget theii
mutual dependence upon each other
The relation Of capital 10 labor may bC
unfortunate, il may work oppression &
the. individual and danger TO the whole
body polite; but ID has been pro
duced by natural laws. The universe
laws OF self protection and supply ans
demand account for IL all. The capi
talist employees labor for his own inter
est and not for the laboreIs advantage
The laborer works 10 benefit himself
and not to enrich the capitalist. y,
other system is possible. Should capi
tai employ itself for the benefit Of la
Dor, 10 would soon cease 10 exist an
nothing would remain 10 pay for labor
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