River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-12-06
The NATIONS AFFAIRS.
Copious Extracts from President
Cleveland's Final Message.
A Warning Against Trusts and the En-
eroachments OF CapitaI-Need for
Tariff Rsvision-Pe sfons, the
Fisheries and other Topics.
HIS PARTING WORDS.

free and generous people, your me ting is
marked by an interesting and Impressive
inc dent. With the exDirat on of the present
session OF The Congress the first century OF our
constitutional existence as Nation VIII be
Our survival for 100 years is not SUFFICIENT TO
Z assure us thar we no longer have dangers to
fear IN the maintenance, with all IT'S promised
blessings. or Government founded on the
freedom Of the people. The tine rather ad-
monishes US 10 soheray inquire whether m the
past we have always osely kept N the course
OF safety, and whether we have before US a
way pla and clear which leads 10 happiness
and perpetu ".
The citizen o. our Republic in its early day
rigidly insis ed upon full compliance with the
letter OF ms bond and saw stretching out
before ann clear field for indiv dual
endeaYor. His tribute 10 the support
OF his Government was measured by the cost
OF its economical maintenance. In these days
the frugal " OF the people was stamped al on
their Government ana was enforced by the
free, thoughtful and intelligent suffrage OF the
citizens. Combinations, mOnopoles and aggre-
cations OF capital were either avo ded or
sternly regulated and restrained The pomp
and glitter Of governments less free Of
fered no temptation and presented no
delusion to the plain people who, side
by side IN friendly competition wrought
for the ennoblement and dignity Of
man. For the solution OF the problem Of
OF the grand destiny awaiting the land
which God had given them century has
passed. Our cities are the abiding places OF
wealth ana luxury; our manufacturers yield
fortunes never dreamed OF by the fathers OF the
republIc: our business men are madly striving
IN the race for riches, and immense aggrega-
tons OF capital outrun the Imagination IN the
magn tude OF their undertakings.
When the experiment Of our Government
was undertaken the chart adopted for our
guidance was the cOnst tuition, and departure
from the lines there laid down failure. II is
only by a strict adherence to the directions
'hey indicate, and by restraint within the lin
.tat Ons they fixed. that we can furnish proof
fc tho world OF the fitness OF the American peo-
pie for self-gOvernment.
the growth ana prosperity Of our country, the
President strikes uDon the subject OF trusts,
pools and monopolies. He speaks thus Of tn
conflict between capital ana labor;
DANGER AHEAD.
We view with PRIDE and satisfaction this
bright picture OF cur country's growth and
prosperity, while only a closer scrutiny de
velOps a somber shading. Upon more careful
Inspection, we ind the wealth and luxury
Of our cities mingled with poverty and
wretchedncs and unremunerative toll. A
crowded and constantly increasing urban pop
ulatiOn suggests the impoverishment OF rural
sections and scontent with agricultural pur-
suits. The farmers son, not satisfied with his
fathers simple and lahorious life, joins the
eager chase for easily acquired wealth.
We discover that the fortunes realized by
our manufacturers are no longer solely Dy re-
ward OF sturdy industry ard enlightened fore
sight, but that they result from the scrimi-
mating favor OF the Government and
are largely bu u upon undue exact on from
the masses Of our people, The gulf between
employers and the employed IS constantly
widening. and classes are rapidly forming, one
eomprls ng the very rich and pow arful, VIII lie
IN another are found the toning roor.
AS We view the achievement OF aggregated c ri
tai We discover the existence OF trusts, combi-
nations and mOnopolles, VIII lie the citizen is
struggling far in the rear or is trampled to
death beneath an iron heel Corporations, VIII CHI
should be the carefully restrained creatures
d the law and the servants OF the people. are
fast becoming the peoples masters. Stlll con-
gratulat ng ourselves upon the wealth and
prosperity OF our country, and complacently
q M n al - y ~ ph IN
separable from these cond lions, u IS our duty
as patriotic cit ze-s 10 f. quire at tn" present
stage Of our progress how the bond OF the Gov
eminent made = tn the people has been kept
and performed.
Instead OF limiting the tribute drawn from
our citizens 10 the necessities OF its economi-
ra administration, the Government ers SIS n
sNacttag from the substance Of the people
millions which, unappled and useless. lie dor
nant in It's Treasury. This fragrant injustice
and this breach of ia tn and obi CATION add to ex-
tOrtion the danger attending the diversion OF the
surrehcy OF me country from lhe legit maze
channels OF business. Under the same laws by
which these results are produced, the Govern
ment permits many millions more To be added
TO the cost o. the living OF our people and to be
taken from our consumers, which unreasonabIy
swell the protts OF the small but powerful
minority. The people must ST II be taxed Tor
the support OF the Government under the oper-
alton Of tariff laws, but not to the extent that the
mass Of our CIT zens are Unfortunately bu dened
roy ond any useful public purpose and for the
beneft OF favored few.
The Government, under pretense Of an exer-
else OF its taxing powers, ente gratuitOusly
into partnership with these favorites TO their
advantage and 10 the injury OF q vast majority
u our people. This IS not equality before the
law. The existing situat on IS injurious 10 the
health OF our entire body polite. IL stiles in
these all patriotic love Of country, and sub
stitutes in its place selfish greed and
grasping ayarice. Devotion to Ameri-
can citizenship for It's own sake
motive 10 our Nations Advancement and the
happiness OF all our people IS displaced BY the
assumption that the Government instead OF
be ng she embodiment OF equality, is but an
mstrumentahtv through which especial and in
3ividual advanta ses are to be gained. The AFRO
gance OF this assumption is uucOncealed IL APP
pears IN the sordid disregard Of all but personal
interest n the refusal 10 abate, for the benefit
Of others. one iota Of selfish advantage, and in
combinations TO perpetuate such advantages
through efforts 10 control legislation and I'M
properly influence the sufrages OF the
people. Ire grievances OF those not
INCLUDED within the circles OF these bene-
&c aries, when fully realized, Il surely arouse
lrT tation and discomfort Our farmers by long
suffering and patient struggling In the race OF
/ tfe with the hardest and unremItt ng toll, viii
not fail TO see in spite OF misreprese ntations
and m.slead ng fallacies that they are DBL gef
10 receive such prices for their products as are
nNed IN lore On markets where they compete
with the farmers OF the world: that their lands
are declining ia value while their debts n
crease; and that without compensating favor
they are forced by the action OF the Govern
ment TO pay for tie benefit OF others such en-
HANGED prizes for the things they need that the
I
7 their support or cave no margin for accumu-
TAT on.
/ our worKingmen eafranchised from all de-
I lus ouS and no longer frightened by the cry
that their wages are ENDANGERED by a inst re-
vision of our tariff laws. viii reason bly, de-
mand through such revision steaoier employ
me1t, cheaper means of living 4? their homes,
I freedom for themselves and their children
[ from the doom of perpetual servitude and an
I open door TO their advaneu ment beyond the
bmits OF a labor lg class. others OF our clti-
\ tens whose comforts and expenditures are
measured by moderate salaries and fixed in
comes will insist upon the fairness and justice
/ Of cheapeniI z the cost OF necessares for them
/ selves aud their families.
I When to the Sc hshness OF the benehc ar es
T Of unjust dlscr mination under our laws there
shall tie added the discomfort OF thos who
/ suffer from such dIscrim nation, We
all real re the fact that the beneh-
I dependent upon the patriot sn and
contentment OF our people are endangered.
! Communism is a hateful thing. and menace
4 to p ace and organized government But the
Communism Of comb. ned wealth and cap tai,
7 the outgrowth OF oyerw ng cupidIy and
I selh,hness, which lns.d.o undermnes the
/ justice and integrity OF nee Institutions, is not
/ less dangerous than the commun SIN OF on
I pressed poverty. and to u which. exasperaied
3 by rjust ce and discomfort, attacks with wild
I disorder the citadel OF RUE.
/ He moeks the people who proposes that the
Government shall protect the rch and that
Z they in turn " II care for the laboring poor
Any informed airy between the people and
E their Government or the least delega ion OF the
Z Gaze and protect on the Government owes 10
/ The Lumblest citizen in the land. makes the
boast OF Tree institutions a 81 mmering de-
fusion and the pretended boon Of American cit
tzenship shameless impOs tion.
/ REVISION OF THE TARIFF NEEDED.
After drawing attention TO the necessity OF a
reduction in the tar.f, the message continues
as follows:
/ A Just and sensible revision OF our tariff laws
U should be made for tue relief Of those OF our
7 ougtrymen who suffer under present condi-
tons such q rev sion should receive the sup
port OF all who love hat justice aud equal IS to
Amer can citizenship; Of all who real p that
! IN this justice and equality over Government
/ hnds IT'S strength and its rover 20 protect the
citizen and the ufOperty OF all VINO believe
3 that the c0ntented compete uce and comfort OF
many accord better with the spirit OF
/ our institutions than colossal fortunes
4faiily gathered IN the hands Of a few. OF all
who appreciate Mat the forbearauce and
& fraternity among our people, which recognize
tlc alue OF every American interest are the
I surest guarantees Of our National progress, and
[ American sail ard ingenuity in every market
OF the world. with resultant restoration OF
7 American commerce.
Existing evils and Injustice should be
I Is femedied- There should be no cessation
OF the struggle until q plan IS perfected
fair and couse VatiFe. toward exist
ing industries but which viii reduce the cost
/ 10 consumers OF the necessar Is OF life, while
+ IL provides for our manuia cturer the advantage
% freer raw materials an2 permits no injury 70
T the interests Of American labor
TOO MUCH LOCAL LEGISLATION
Z The cause for which the battle is waged Is
comprised W thin lines clearly and distinctly
defined. II should never be compromised. 10
/ Is the peoples cause. II can not be denied that
Z the selfish and private interests which are so
I persistcnfly heard when efforts are made 10
auH I'm ~ bon m az n