Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-04-15
no SUBSIDIES

There Is a lingering recollection, IN the
minds of many, of speeches delivered and
articles written. during the las, campaign
in Maine, in which Grccn0ack statesmen
declared, in loudcst tones and scvcrcst
language. that the Republican party had
done a great wrong, In developing the
country bv means of subsidies, granted
20 great internal improvement corpora
tions. and 20 steamship lines. Ii the
Greenback party was given power. this
fraudulent system would be done away
with, the people money would no longer
be squandercd on and stolen by corpora
tons. In fact, one Of the strongest cries
Of the new party was, No NHtSsflss.
In this, the party has been as consist
ent As it has in many another Of IFS claims
As soon as q small delegation of these
men Is sent 90 Congress, We see how
hollow these prctcnSlons we've. The
House Is Obliged 20 adjourn over Monday
every week, IN order 90 prevent these
Greenback advocates from Introducing
bills which propose 20 take money from
the Treasury for internal Improvements.
Rev Mr. De Ia MARTYR. the able>t mem
Der OF this party, has bin now prcpar-
Cd, which be proposes 20 Introduce, as
soon IS Monday session Is obtained
This bill proposes that the national gov
eminent shall loan three hundred 0Hd rrtg
millions ~ dollars, for twenty-five wears,
10 various corporations such a> ship
canals, &c. The frs, hvc wears. these
companies are 20 pay 40 interest on this
immense loan, after tve wears. during the
remaining time OF twenty years, they arc
20 pay three per cent. on the loan.
There was time IL the history of this
country when the government did well 20
make land grants, and become surety for
bonds Of certain corporations. The rail-
road which connects the Atlantic and
Pacific sea boards. would never have been
builded but for such aid. and our trade
with foreign countries has been amply
increased by steamship subsidies But
now the country Is So fully developed in
is business; capital Is so abundant that
It VIII readily enter any Paying enterprise
which NAV bc inaururatcd. that the time
has come 20 cease granting government
aid 20 any enterprise. The people have
spoken on this question, and they said.
No more land grants, mo more >ub>i-
dies.
Mr. De Ia MARTYR does not claim that
this immense loan Is 90 be made for the
development of internal resources. pre-
eminently, but the tir>, purpose is 20 fur
nish employment 20 the idle Of thi, land.
This Is one of the most dangerous of all
the wild schemes coucocted by the brains
Of crazy demagogues-that the general
government should support the laborins
classes who are out OF employment In
the first place the government Is not the
patron, but the scrvan, OF the people. IL
must be supported by the people, and not
attempt TO support them. That is simply
a proposition 70 take from those who have,
and give 20 them who have nOt-a COM
munlstic distribution OF property bv
roundabout method Again II the gov
eminent can support people by such meth
OF. It can loan money 20 the people direct,
as well as TO place it in the hands Of cor
porationS In other words, every poor
man would be entitled 70 20 20 the United
States Treasurer. and say, Il am out Of
funds, loan me five hundred or a thousand
dollars When this was expended or
squandered. be would have the same claim
for another loan. The teaching of such
doctrines Is pernicious. the attempt %
practice them Of the most dangerous char
acter. Ii VIII make d nation Of paupers
al first, taking the manhood from the
people; then It VIII throw the government
into bankruptcy, and then. with credit
and courage gone. We shall be an easy
prey 10 foreign conquest. Remember, as
Col. Ingerson 50 well said, 1.-THE govern
ment Is a chronic pauper, always passing
around the hat, and asking for more.
If this Is borne in mind It viii save much
confusion Of thought, and the building Of
impracticable schemes.