Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-02-26
CORPORATE POWER.

OV04 VxbA4o oNs
Against corporations, as such, no one
has any objection. They enable the con-
of capital which could not
we'll otherwise be employed. and they
enable men of means to diversity the use
Of their money in a way in which they
could not otherwise do. But when the
corporation which is chartered by and a
creature OF the state becomes so power
iul as to defy the authority which created
it; or when it becomes so enriched by
unreasonable gains from the masses as
TO crush out all competition. and thus
grows into a powerful monopoly, it be-
comes dangerous to individual enter
prise and individual liberty. When three
or four railroad magnates can meet in a
back parlsr in New York, and. by their
mandate. add q tax of millions OF
dollars to the agricultural and mechanic
cal labor Of the people. 1t seems high
time to call q halt.
We have no sort of sympathy with any
variety of communism or socialism. We
believe in sacredly guarding the rights
of property. and we believe in the sane
tity OF the marriage relation as the sheet
anchor of society. W. look upon the
who would detract from another
because hs possesses property as fully IS
. man as the incendiary who
sets fire to q house or barn. We believe
in a. little law a. is consistent with the
safety of society. the largest freedom to
the individual, and the right to enjoy
what his brain or muscle wins for him
In the RAGS of life. We should be glad.
indeed, If we believed that it was unnec-
essary to hedge around even corporations
with safeguards to the people; but when
every day. almost, brings rs the an
nouncemsnt Of some new consolidation
OF long railroad lines extending their
ramifcations into every part of the coun-
try. affecting every industrial interest,
and when it Is boldly announced, and
easy to be seen If not announced. that
these consultations are made to do
away with competition. which has here.
tofore kept freights down to reasonable
rates, and whom the people are expected
to pay profits on stock watered to five or
six times the value of the roads, it is
natural that alarm should be ielt.
This alarm Il augmented when 1t Is
known that to enable them to use un-
checked the power which they have,
these corporations seek political indu-
ence by every means At their command,
corrupting to their service, where 1t 10
practicable, legislators both state and
national.
This IL . burning question. 1t IS a
question Of to-day. 1t demands imme-
diate attention. The Goulds and the
Yanderbilts are wary and alert. Men
like Mr.. Curtis defend their %pretensions
to immunity from Legislative interfer-
ence. Newspapers like the Globe Dem
ocrat are always ready with q sneer for
any effort In the interest of the people.
Sectional hatred, blind p~artisanism, ser
vile trucking. all are made to do service
IN strengthening the corporate influence
OF these nalign combinations.
With q view to an organized effort.
there has been formed, in New York, a
national anti-monopoly league. Its
president 10 Mr.. L. E. Chittsnden /; its
treasurer, Mr.. F. B. Thurber, and its
secretary, Mr.. Henry Nichols, all we'll
known. conservative gentlemen, and the
membership numbers some OF the most
influential and successful business men
OF the city.
Tue platform OF the society is short
but comprehensive
Sour principles :-Anti-M onopoly.
We advocate and will support and de-
TEND the rights of the many as against
privileges for the few.
Corporations the creation Of the state,
shall be controlled by the state.
Labor and capital. allies not enemies
Justice for both"
These are correct sentiments. and Sc
generally In this country is justice EN-.
bedded in the hearts OF the people. thai
the rights of capital will never be jsop'
ardized, unless corporate monopolies are
allowed to 90 misuse and abuse the priv.
ileges granted them that the people car
no longer bear their exaetions and I'm.
positions.
At . meeting OF this league in New
York. q lew days ago, Judge Blaci
heartily Endorsed its object. and recon
mended that its efforts be sustained. Il
is desired to form subordinate leagues
everywhere throughout the country amt
We hope several will be formed In La
fayetts county. They are entirely non
partisan, and may be Joined by member
Of all the political parties. They shoul'
be Differed BY Intelligent men who hav
the cause ut heart, and who will be vii
ling to give . little time to correspon
dencs. and the answer OF pertinen
questions. The membership may be a
extensive as is convenient, but Their
should be a. little machinery of govern
nent as possible, and no expense. ex
cept for postage and correspondence tn
great object being the giving and re
celving OF information. for, once ARGUS
ed and thoroughly informed, the peopl
will be invincible.
Gen. Sherman has appointed Gen
Field. an ex:conisderate, as one of tn
marshsls tor the inaugural procession
Some SUPERFICIAL gentry having objec,
ed. not only to Field, but to Ex;Gov
Fletcher. OF Missouri, as having been
'orrible rebel, Gen. Sherman said:-
There will be organisations here frou
nearly all the southern states. The
have been invited to come have bee
coaxed to come. 1t Is but right that the
should have some representation. w
don't want to insult them after they hav
been urged to come. Gen. Field hold
an Office under the government, and hs
: taken the oath of Office. He Is a goo