Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1886-12-07
Idaho Reporter.

Each passing nour develops more
clearly the fact that the country has
within itself two antagonistic ele-
ments--the monopolist and the COM
mune. The former has thus far held
the advantage, though it has not gone
unchecked, for great number of
years. The latter quickened by the
development Of mind incident to the
dissemination OF universal education,
are striving for recognition in the po-
liticaI world, and are assisted materi-
ally by every blunder made by the
former. Both parties scheme, plot
and counterpart, and both are held in
check by the good sense of the mass
.es of the people. To give the mo-
nopolists unlimited sway would end
in the slavery of the working classes.
There is no limit to their dishonesty.
Rightfully or wrongfully they will
appropriate everything within their
reach and in this respect are no bet
ter than their antipodes who would
confscate the gains of all who have
acquired means to support themselves
in old age and provide for their chill
dren. Taking in view the past his
tory of both these classes we hold
that neither, morally or socially,
should rank above the other.
The most dangerous of the two ele-
ments is the monopolists. Though
comparatively small in numbers,
they carry with them the influence
chat wealth gives-not because it is
wealth-but that they corrupt the lit
erature of the age, from which the
people either reason or form preju-
dces. 1t is not an extravagant esti-
mate to say that one-third of the dali
ly press of the northern states are in
their pay. Upon the other hand, the
cheap literature-particularly of
Sunday papers, looking for a sale
among the working class, are cramm-
ed with serial stories and startling
incidents giving exaggerated accounts
of the extortions, oruelties and enor-
mities of the employer class. The
influence of "Uncle Toms Cabin" in
play, song and story, was one of the
chief factors in bringing on the war
of the rebellion. The dime novels
and dramas and songs of to-day are
doing a similar work. One reason
the monopolists are most dangerous
is because, pulled up with an exalt-
ed idea of their own Importance, they
commit acts of cruelty and oppres-
sion, which adds to the strength and
numbers of the communists, and it
goes without saying that if the latter
should obtain power, con6scation and
brutality would follow, for which we
might seek parallel in the old
French revolution.
The danger seems to be in the pre-
valence of the two kinds of literature.
1T is folly to assert that it is not hav-
ing and will not have its influence.
There is no publication of the day,
however vile, that will not have sub
seribers to its theories. So long as
the mass of people can be prevented
from ranging with either of the fac
tions there is safety, but if they be-
come wmrlpools into which everything
else is drawn, then there is not only
danger, but disaster.
y reasonable check upon the mon
opolies of the country would seem to
be the need of the hour. When the
anti-monopolists demand that citizens
shall not, because of wealth, enjoy
privileges that cannot be accorded to
all, 1t IS but reasonable and consistent
with justice and should be needed.