The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-09-10
The Talk of "CIasses.n
Boston Herald.


Strictly speaking, there are no classes in
this country. A social caste or class is some
thing fixed by distinguishing, well under
stood and enduring marks or conditions.
But in this country, not only is labor re-
spected and honest business respectable, but
birth imposes no conditions that may not be
overcome. Riches are constantly shifting.
In q country where it is 'but three genera
tons from shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves" and
where, as rule, the richest men have been
the poorest boys, and where the highest edu.
cation is open to all, it is absurd to talk
about classes as a fixed institution.
Governor Cleveland is blamed by work
ingmsn' for speaking in his letter of the
"laboring classes as though those who
work are separated in some way from their
fellow-citizens, and having distinct and diff
fering interests. But in using this phrase,
Governor Cleveland simply adopted, uncon-
sciOusly, the common habit of speech. In
his public and private life be has regarded
ano treated all honest workers, whether
they labor with their brains or their hands,
as entitled to equal consideration. He does
not, as Gendral Butler is continually doing,
speak to and of the ''workingmen'' as though
they constitute clsss by themselves. A man
who tolls upon a farm, or at desk, or on
board ship, or in the widely ramifed bust
ness of transportation, or in any honest &C.
cupation that he follows for the support of
himself and his family, is just as truly q
'workingman" as one who works in mill,
a shop or mine. The different trades and
mechanic arts are more generally organized
than are the other industrial avocations, as
they have been forced to be in self-protec-
ton, but they have no interests in govern
ment that are not shared equally with the
great mass of their fellow citizens. What
the Government can do for one it
should do for all. What it is not
inst and proper that the Government
,bou11 do for oil ebould not no askad 0r
undertaken for any. To ask that the Gov
ernment-which is simply all the people act
ing by their agents and representatives for
the common good-should undertake to
make fourteen ounces pound or thirty
inches a yard, or eight hours days work for
the workers of one kind, while all the rest
are subjected to the standard that makes
sixteen ounces pound, thirty-six inches a
yard, and days work matter to be regu-
| lated by contract, is to expect the impossi-
bic and to require the unequal.
The bottom thing in a republic is equal
| ity. All citizens are equal at the ballot-box.
All are equal before the law. All are equal,
or should be, in respect to the opportunities,
privileges and duties of citizenship. The
| Constitution was ordained and established
| ''in order to form more perfect union, TO
establish justice, insure domestic tranquil
| ity, provide for the common defense, pro-
| mote the general welfare and secure the
to promote class welfare, to regulate the
rate of wages. to provide occupation for all,
| to decree a competence to the I'M
thrifty, nor even to render the deserv-
| ing happy. 1t is still true, despite the va
| carries of the advocates OF ''paternal sys.
tem," that ''that Government is best which
governs least" In its relations to the tax
| payers, the government, whether municipal.
| State or Federal, is, as Governor Cleveland
| has said, simply a business establishment.
| to be conducted on business principles" II
| is organized and maintained to do for the
| citizens public service which they can not
economically or we'll do for themselves-to
make and execute laws, decree and dispense
| justice between citizens, to protect life,
health and property, to carry the mails and
| to raise money for these purposes.
1t is readily seen that mechanics, as such.
| farmers, as SUCH merchants. clerks, lawyers,
DOCTORS ministers, as such. have no special
| and exclusive interest in the administration
of q government that is of all, by all, for all.
And hence the separation of the voters into
CLASSES" in appeals from the press or the
| stump, is thoroughly unrepublican and
| pernicious habit which should be stopped
by those who do 1t thoughtlessly, and point
| eddy rebuked in those who do it purposely
for selfish and unworthy ends.