Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1888-10-27

OF tariff reform. This Is certainly
evidence that neither their under
standing nor their sense of duty was
very great; for questions of vital inn
portance, of the safety of our exist
ence, are constantly arising in our
time, because Of the rapid advances
we are making in our economic con-
dltions, thereby influencing all
other conditions underlying social
life.
The democratic" party, by its
subservlency to the former slave
holders in the South, encouraged the
rebellion, was participant in high
treason, and ought to have been con-
signed to an ignoble death therefor.
The party which has to-day its
stronghold in the former rebel
States, has opposed sound recon-
struction after the rebellion was de-
feated, unnecessarily prolonged the
provisional conditions of those
States, and gave rise to uncertainty
and confusion, which in themselves
were continued dangers to the re-
public. The party has not in any
measure shown ability to grapple
with the questions now pressing for
solution. They have not in the
least given evidence that they are
even conscious of the absolutely
changed economic conditions, and,
of course, have no measures to pro-
pose for general policy. They
seemed only too glad when Cleve-
land raised the tariff question. This
is certainly a proof of political bank
ruptcy that ought not to find en-
couragement for longer existence.
The party has no mission save the
scrambling for offices; This is, in re-
ality, its only mission, for the issue
it stands for is, as already charac-
terized, fictitious one. Can you
trust your destiny to its keeping?
The republican" party prides
itself upon the emancipation of the
slaves and the restoration of the
union, Was the emancipation Of
the slaves not the logic of events?
These events We're not directed by
the party, but were forced upon
it for treatment with the alter
native that either the union must 90
to destruction or slavery be abol-
ished. After a delay of two years
and at immense sacrifices of blood
and treasure the party was forced to
do that which should have been It's
voluntary mission right from the
start of the rebellion. How did
it acquit itst,s in the great
task thus forced upon it? Where
are we standing to-day as to the con-
ditions of liberty and the safety of
the republic? A great money power
has been created, which is a more
serious danger than the shareholders
ever were. During the rebellion,
and while the people were making
the most intense sacrifices to save
the union, the schemers in Congress
and elsewhere conspired; they were
then making lavish land grants and
money grants to private parties to
build railroads, giving franchises
and privileges that enabled the re-
ceivers thereof to control the finances
and the economic conditions of the
country.
We now witness large number
of millionaires in possession of from
one million to two hundred millions,
practically stolen from the people.
What an awful example of corrup-
ton is here given. We see the de-
moralizing effect of it IN many direc-
tons. Are you willing to accept
their Issue, "protection," as fitting
the requirements of our time? AS
in the case of the democratic"
party, the Republicans" have shown
neither the willingness nor the abil-
ity to grapple with the real issues be-
fore US. The perverse economic
conditions of to-day, which were and
are caused by class les sislation-
favorlng the few at the expense of
the people-are due in a great me.s-
ure to that party. 1t is evident that
both Of the old parties have outlived
their usefulness. A new order of
conditions is required; new forces
must take charge, which stand in di-
rect relation and are born of the ne
cessitv of the hour. Thus we arrive