New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-01-27

of tbc peoplc was under discussion. II was
an uncOmmonly good time for the Friend OF
the Oppressed a fcld-day for the champions
of the toling millions. There are several de-
grccs of these champions some OF them
want to educate the toIling millions; some
want them sent TO Congress: some want
them set to work on public buildings under
Mullct some want Il sort OF national peer
garden set up for them, where they can us
cuss the relations Of capital and labor, mean
time drawing pay and beer from the Govern
mcnt; and some, like Wright, hold that the
business of the Government Is simply 10
take care of the tOiling millions who do
not toll. The toilinS millions who actually
toll take care of themselves. But Thursday
was the special day for the champions who
desire to " cducatcn the toling millions. MIR.
Goodc, of Virginia, and various other states
men, had uttered some noble sentiments on
the subject, and several Southern mem
bcrs had expressed Il Willingness 10 lay
aside their hostility to Federal nterief-
cnce and permit their States to accept the
proceeds of Government land, for this bcneh-
cent purpose. DR.. Loring, of Massachusetts,
had also supported the measure with some
education, and casual reference to the PHI
grim Fathers. But it may as well be under
stood first as last that lIendrick Il. Wright Is
not the man to be fooled by any nonsense
about cducatlon He knows the tOlhng
millions well enough to know that
what they want Is money; not educatlon
TO offer the toiIing millions represented by
Hcndrick b. Wright the means of education
is simply an imposition. Ii is worse than
giving a stone for bread, or for fish a ser
pent worse even than putting off with bread
the toiling millions who want beer
Hcndrick b. Wright Grasped the situation
at once. He took high ground. Every
inch of the public domain, he said, be-
longs to the people; but he was Tor
using the proceeds to provide against famine
before taking them to build school-h"nsrs.
Every dollar taken from the National Treas
Jury under prctcxt of building railroads and
school-h0uscs, was so much taken from that
fund which ought to give comfort and repoSr
" to The toiIing millions of the land. The atten-
" ton Of Congress should be fixed upon sin
" sle point, and that point was the relief OF
" the suffering Millions No wonder that
this humane and beautiful sentiment struck
a chord IN the breasts of the tOllIng millions
who vainly seek comfort and Iep0se III the
galleries, and reused them to an Outburst OF
applause, under the inspiration Of which Nh
Wright publicly pledged himself that he
would not agree that il dollar should be taken
from the National Treasury for any purpose
"whatevcr so long as there are hungry men,
women and children hronsing the streets"
This is a very noble stand. Mr. Wright, it is
true, may be unable, iii this selfish age, to
cary ont his purpose fully. Appropriations
will 40 doubt be made in spite of him, If not
for ANYTHING else at least TO pay the salaries OF
Members of Congress; but what Il rcbuke it
will be to all his colleagues when he stands
up and refuses to take his pay $50 long as
" there are hungry men, women ana children
" throneing the Streets or, taking it, chucks
il impartially among the toIng millions. And
when this happens shall not Hendrick b.
Wright, like Vaerius, be by his grateful coun-
trymcn surnamcd-and to all pOsterity de
sccnd-" PoplIcCla