The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1888-12-13
Prs Asnt Cir lind.

PIC 'hat IN the exercise OF its functions and
powers it will deal with the body Of our titis
Zehs in manner scrupulOusly honest and fair
and absolutely just. j. has agreed that Ameri-
can citizenship shall he the only credential nee
essary to justify the claim OF equality
before the law, AMI that no con
dition in life shall give rise to
discrimination IN tho treatment OF the ncG,
pie by their 6oVernmcnt. The citizen of
our Republic IN its early days rigidly insist
ed upon fnll compliahcS with the letter of this
bond, ana saw stretching out ,efore him
clear hci1 Tor individual endeavOr. His tribute
TO the support OF his Government was meas
ured by the cost of its economical inaintc-
nance, and he was secure IN the enjoyment
OF the recOmpense OF his steady tribute ard
contcnted in 1t. In those days the ffuga lity
or the people was stamped upon their Govern
ment, and was enforced nv the free, thoughtful
and1ntelligent suffrage OF the citizen. Contbit.a-
hons, monopoiltS and aggregatiors Ci capital
We're either avoided or sternlv regulated and
restrained, Tue pomp and glitter of govern
ments less ireo offered no temptation and pre-
scnted no deluson to the plain people who
SIDE by side in frien ly competition, wrought
Tor the ennoblemcnt and dignity of man, FOR
the solution OF the problem of free government
ana for the achievement OF the grand destiny
awaiting the land which God had given them.
PRIVATE vs.. PUBLIC INTERESTS,
A century has passed, our cities are the abid-
ing places of wealth 0hd luxury our manu-
factories yield fortunes never dreamed of nv
the fathers of the Republic; our business
men are madly striving in the race for riches
ana immense aggregations of capital outrun
tHe Inauguration in the magnitude OF their un-
ucrtaklhgs. We view with pride and satisfac-
ton this bright picture of our country's growth
ana prosperity, While only q closer scrutiny de-
Velops II somber shading, Upon more careful
inspection we find the wealth and luxury of
our cit es mingled with poverty and wretched-
ness and unrCmunerativo toll. A crowded and
constantly increasing urban population Sug-
gests the lmpoyerishmcnt OF rural sections and
discomfort with agricultural pursuits The
farmers son, not satisfied with his fathers
simple aud laborious life, joins the eager chase
XT-lR 1 pA1 Va hat
the fortunes realized by our manufacturers are
no longer solely the reward of sturdy industry
and enlightened foresight, but that they result
from the discriminating favor of the Govern
ment and are largely built upon un.
due exactions from the masses OF our
people. The gulf between the employer and
the employed is constantly widening, and
classes are rapidly forming. one comprising
the very rich and powerful, while in another
are found the toiing poor. While we view the
achievements OF aggregated capital, we discover
nopohes, while the citizen is struggling far in
the real, or is tralupled to death beneath an
iron heel. Corporations which should be the
carefully restrained creatures of the law and
the servants OF the people. are fast becoming
the peoples masters. Still congratulating
ourselves upon the wealth and prosperity OF
our country, and complacently contemplating
every incident OF change 1nSeparable from these
conditions, IL is our duty as patriotic citizens
20 inquire, at the present stage of our progress,
now the bond of the Government made with
the people has been kept and performed In
stead of limiting the tribute drawn FROM our
citizens to the necessities of its economical ad-
ministration, the Government still persists in
eXacting from the substance of the people
millions which, unapplied, are useless ami lie
doHnant in its treasury. This hagrant lnl1stice
and this breach of faith and obligation add ex-
tortion to the danger attending the diversion OF
the currency of the country from the legitimate
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 OF living OF
our people. and to be ;.l taken III rom ON
profits of a small but powerful minority The
people must still be taxed for the support OF
the Government under the operation OF tarin
laws. But to the extent that the mass of our
citizens are inordinately burdened beyond any
useful public purpose and for the benefit OF
favored few, the Government under pretext OF
an exercise of its taxing power. enters gratult-
ously into partnership with these favorites
to their advantage and to the IN
Sry of This vast n69 majority eGualty gsr Se
fore the law The existing situation is in
furious to the health of our entire body polite.
It stiles In those for whose benefit It is per
mitted all patriotic love OF country and substi-
tutes in its place selfish greed and grasplng
Hvarice.
sake, and for what it should accomplish as a
motive to our Nations advancement ana tne
happiness OF all our people is displaced oy the
assumption that the Government, instead OF
being the embodiment of equality, is but an In
strumentality through which especlal anu
Individual advantages are TO De gaiheu
rhe arrogance of this assumption Is
apconcealed. 1t appears in the sordid dis
regard of all but person al interests IN the re-
fusal TO abate for the benefit OF others one lota
OF selfish advantage, and in combinations 70
perpetuate such advantages through Efforts 70
control legislation and improperly influence the
suffrages OF the people. The grievances OF
those not included within the circle OF THESE
beneficiaries, when fully realized, will surely
arouse irritation and discomfort. Our iarm-
ers. long-surering and patient struggling
In the race of life with the hardest and most
unremittng toll. will not fail TO see, IN spite OF
MISREPRESENTATION and misleading failaeies,
Mat they are obliged to accept such riees ior
their products as are fixed in foreign markets
where they compete with the farmers OF
the world; that their lands are decnnlng IN
value while their debts increase, ana that
vithout compensating favor they are forced oy
me action OF the Government 20 pay Tor tne
bepse. M others such enhanced prices Ier ths