Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-07

When the experiment of our govern
ment was undertaken the chart adopted
for our guidance was the constitution,
and departure from the lines laid down is
failure. 1t is only by a strict adherence
TO the direction they indicate and by res
straiut within the limitations they fix that
We Can furnish proof to the world of the
fitness of the American people for self
government.
The equal and exact justice of which
We boast as the underlying principle of
our institutions should not be confined to
the relations of our citizens to each
other. The government itself is under
bond to the American people that in the
exercise OF its functions a1d powers it
will deal with the body of our citizens in
q manner scrupulOusly honest and fair
and absolutely just.
Communism is a hateful thing. and
menace to peace and organized governs
ment, but the communism of organized
wealth and capita, the outgrowth Of
overweening cupidty and selfishness,
which insidiously uudermines the justice
and integrity of free institutions, is not
less dangerous than the communism of
oppressed poverty and toll, which, ex-
asperated by injustice ana discomfort, at
tacks with wild disorder the citadel of
rule.
IIn r1nnE : tho oil n hat
the government shall protect the rich,
aud that they, in turn, will care for the
laboring poor.
Any intermediate between the people
and their government, or the least dele
CATION of the care and protection the
government owes to the humbest citizen
in the land, makes the boast of free in.
situations g'itteriug delusion and the
pretended boon Of American citizenship
shameless imposition.
There should be no scheme accepted a
satisfactory by which the burdens of tai
people are only apparently reduced. Elk
travagsnt appropriations Of money, will
all their demoralizing consequences
should not be tolerated, either as q mean
OF relieving the treasury of its preseu
surplus or as furnishing pretexts for re
sisting proper reduction in tariff rates
Existing eyils and injustice should b
honestly recognized, boldly met and eff
fectively remedied
There should be no cessation of tn
struggle until plan is perfected, fai
and conservative toward existing indus
tries. but which will reduce the cost I
consumers of the necessaries of life
while 1t provides for our manufacturer
the advantage of freer raw materials, an
permits no injury to the interests G
American labor. The cause for whic
the battle is waged is comprised With
lines clearly and distinctly defined.
should never be compromised; it is th
peoples cause,
The preservation of the partitions be
tween the proper subjects of federal an
local care and regulation is of such i'm
portance. under the constitution, whic
is the law of our very existence, that n
consideration of expediency or sent
ment should tempt US to enter upo
doubtful ground.
We have undertaken to discover an
proclaim the richest blessings of frt
government with the constitution as OF
guide, Let US follow the way it poin
out. 1t will not mislead US.
Laws which open a door to frauduler
acquisition or an administration whic
permits favor to rapacious seizure by
favored few of expanded areas that man
should enjoy. are accessory to offens'
against our national welfare and human
ty not to be too severely condemned {
punished,
If the establishment of vicious prec,
dents is continued, il the granting {
pensions be not divorced from partisa
and other unworthy and irrelevant cor
siderstions, and if the honorable name G
veteran" unfairly becomes by the
means but another term for one who col
stantly clamors for the aid of all the go'
eminent. there is danger that injury wi
be done to the fame and patriotism {
many whom our citizens all delight
honor, and that prejudice will
aroused unjust to meritorious applican
for pensions.
These words fitly spoken'-these al
L..