The Labor enquirer., 1883-12-08
DENVER COLORADO. SATURDAY. DECEMBER s. 1888 8

purely in the interest Of the producer
Of our country, and which, while Just :,
the public creator, added largely 10 thu
wealth of the nation. The passage, b.
the last congress of tariff act largely
reducing the list of dniable articles anet
modifying some Of the most oppreeiv,
provisions Of the former law, was an
other measure in the interests of labor
Auspicious omens are not confined Il
the national capitol. From many part
of the union come indications of /
purer and healthier public sentiment
We find them shown in the trial anC
conviction Of q few at least Of the
wELL-cLAD THIEVES AND REsPRcrABLl
KNAvEs,
who, as officers of bank, railroad and in
surance companies, have stolen the
funds entrusted to their care. A few
more such cases and we may believe
that honesty has become fashionable
and poverty is no longer 4 crime.
1t Is doubtful whether either gof the
two political Organizations which now
divide the country, can or will accom-
plish the task. Indeed no partisan a.
sociation is adequate to the work. There
is too much selfish ambition, too great .
desire for the spoils of Office in the
leadership of every political party to
make the sacrifices necessary to any great
and permanent reform. Between the ex-
tremes Of wealth and poverty stands q
body Of men who own property, and
vet are not independent of labor
Upon the great middle class the hopes
of the country are centered, and around
it must rally the intelligence and patriot
ism of the nation. In opposition to the
civic army of reform will be arrayed
enemies, 5dissimilar in character, but
alike destructive to social order and lib
erty. The corrupt monopolies which
have entwined their deadly coils around
the legislation and natural resources of
the republic, constitute 8
FORCE THAT MUST BE OVERCOME.
Armed with all the power of gold,
trained in the arts of political manage
ment and aided by venal press, they
are formidable opponents. On the other
hand the men who hold property crime,
and seek to destroy the very foundations
Of society are also enemies of the state.
The dregs of population in our large
cities furnish means of destruction which
capital, or the promises of communism
IAN always enlist In every great center
Of population, slumber the demoniac pas
,ions which only the iron hand of mu-
nicipal power restrains. Remove from
shenI even for daySthe coercion of that.
necessary restraint and they would leap
with their hideous vices and terrible
crimes into seething existence.
Reform or revolution is inevitable.
We have now the freedom of choice.
Delay for another twentyiyears the at.
Tempt to correct, under the forms of law,
,he social and political evils that afflict
BUR country, and publication will come
IN THE STORM OF REVOLUTION.
Then Justice will take the shape of yeng-
ance and retribution will mete outa ter
rible punishment upon those whose
vicious practices or shameful apathy will
have caused untold calamities.
In that day of wrath the tyrants of the
power shall not escape. They
who sowed the seeds of corruption shall
.eap a harvest of ruin and desoiatlen.
Gold and silver, land and rent rolls,
ponds and currency will not avert the
storm. Hunger in its desperation, and
ignorance in its rage, shall clutch their
wealth and revel in their mansions Our
social temple will be rent in twain and
,apital will be hurled from its throne
INTO the depths of fathomless chaos. No
human vision can foresee the end of a
contest in which state will be arrayed,
against state, and class against class.
When the flames of internecine war
have died away, from the ashes of the
conflict may emerge nobler andpurer
system of government. On the other
hand, above the rains of liberty and
social order may arise an armed des-
ootism bearing in its hand a royal
,ceptre, and upon its brow the Fl
Likeness OF KINGLY CROWN"
Choose ye between peaceful and be-
1efcent reform, wrought out in our own
lay, and the tempest and whirlwind of
revolution for our children.
"After us the deluge," was the con-
slant remark of French monarch
when asked to correct abuses which
the stability of his throne.
After a reign the most inglorious France
ever witnessed, the fool died and was
buried with all the solemn pageantry of
q royal funeral. \ He escaped the tenn
pest. but the deluge which he foresaw
came at last, sweeping away throne,
church and institutions that had grown
hoary with the. centuries. Shall we
emulate this example of royal apathy,
or act nobler part? \ ,-
Shall we drift with mute lips and
folded arms upon tide that bears us to
the shoreless sea of anarchy, or shall we
strive to save for our children
the grand inheritance left forSus by the
founders of the republic? VI,
The course of duty is plain in the sun
light of reason and patriotism. Let us
cease to regard wealth as the, chief
standard of distinction and certain
passport co respectability. Let the rich
understand that when the workingman,
although poor and uneducatsd, by hon.
est industry supports his wife and child
rem, and sets before them an example of
manly independence, he enobles toll and
exalts himself. Let the poor understand
that the dignity of labor is enhanced by
advancing the intelligence and integrity
of the laborer. Let all understand that
the preservation of social order, the pro-
lection of property and the defense of
the country is now, and must ever
be confded to the great industrial
classes of the union. Let it be under
stood that the man who attempts to cor
rupt the masses, that constitute in peace
or war the bulwark of the republic,
shall be denounced as Il
A TRAITOR TO HIS COUNTRY AND AN ENEMY
TO MANKIND.
Let these truths become embodied in
our statutes, made manifest by the de.