Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-05
Commercial Fe.asaIis.M.
To the Editor Of the EVENING STAR,

A French writer whose ability is beyond ques-
ton, after following the course of civilization
through its several phases of development. says:
''CivilizatiOn is tending towards the fourth
phase by the influence of Joint stock corpora
tions which, under the cover of certain legal
privileges. dictate terms and conditions to labor
and arbitrarily exclude from it whomever they
please. These CORPORATIONS contain the germ of
Il vast feudal coalition. which is destined to in
wade the whole industrial and financial system
and give birth to commercial feudalism.
These corporations will become dangerous and
lead to new outbreaks and commissions only by
being extended to thelwhOie industrial and
commercial system. The event is not far
distant, and will be brought about all the
more easily from the fact that it is not appre-
hended. Extremes meet and the
greater the extent to which the anarchical COM
petition is carriedithe nearer is the approach to
the reign OF uaiet7SGl monopoly. which is the
opposite excess. 1t is the fate of civilization to
be always balancing between two extremes.
Circumstances are tending towards the Organi-
Zation of the commercial classes into federal
companies or affiliated mOnOpClieS which, Oper-
ating in conjunction with the landed interest
will reduce the middle and labOring classes to a
state of commercial vassalage. and by this infiu-
ence Of combined action will become master of
the productive industry of entire nations. The
small operators will be forced indirectly to dis
pose of their products according to the wishes of
these mOnOpOlists; they will become mere agents
for the coalition. Weshall then see the reappear-
ance of feudalism in an adverse order, founded on
mercantile leagues. and answering to the
barOnial leagues Of the middle ages. Every
thing is concurring to produce this result.
We are marching with rapid strides
towards commercial feudalsm, and to the
fourth phase of civilization" So far as these
cautOnary words relate to the inevitable effects
OF combined, Soulless corporations, they are
prophetic, although penned seventy years ago.
The modern barOns have our greatest highways
in their pockets, and tax at will our vast indus
tries. They control states, state legislatures
and Congress. The necessaries of life are gar
nered by spectators and sold at prices which
preclude the mechanic and laborer from pur-
chasing them, however anxious they might be
to do so. The money aristOcracy of this coun-
try is rapidly increasing-an aristocracy
more heartless and tyrannical than the
titled ones of old countries, and as a natural
sequent the chasm between them and
the bone and sinew of our country is widening
every year. There is nothing in common be-
tween them, the one. while the wall of homeless
mothers and children is heard throughout the
land turns a deaf ear to it. while the other out
of his scanty earnings, contributes freely to-
wards their wants. The prevalence of strikes
shows cOnclusvely that labor is determined to
assert it's legitimate rights to the full enjoyment
of a living remuneration. and such being the
case, it would be for the interest of capital to
reflect seriously on the matter before labor
makes any movement likely to endanger the
stability Of its strOnghOlds. OCULUs.