Middletown transcript., 1888-12-06
Extracts from the Presidents
Message,

When the experiment of our govern
ment was undertaken the chart adopted
for our guidance was the constitution
Departure from the lines there laid down
is failure. 1t is only by strict adher
ence to the direction they indicate and
by restraint 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 and powers it
will deal with the body of our citizens
in manner scrupulously honest and
fair and absolutely just. It has agreed
that American citizenship shall be the
only credential necessary to justify the
claim of equality before the law, and that
no condition in life shall give rise to
discrimination in the treatment OF the
people by their own government.
The citizen of our republic in its early
days rigidly insisted upon full compli-
ance with the letter of this bond, and saw
stretching out before him clear field for
individual endeavor. His tribute to the
support Of his government was measured
by the cost Of its economical maintenance
and he was secure in the enjoyment of
the remaining recompense of his steady
and contented toll. In those DAYS the
frugality OF tie people was stamped upon
their government, and was enforced by
the free, thoughtful and intelligent suf- |
trage of the citizen. Combinations, mon
opolies and aggregations of capital were
either avoided or sternly regulated and |
restrained. The pomp and glitter of gov
ernments less free offered 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 free government, and for
the achievement of the grand destiny
awaiting the land which God had given
them.
WEALTH AND MoNoPoLIEs.
A century has passed. Our cities are
the abiding places of wealth and luxury
our manufactures yield fortunes never
dreamed of by the fathers OF the Repub-
lie; our business men are madly striving
in the race for riches, and immense ag-
gregations of capital outrun the imagina-
tion in the magnitude of their undertake
lngs.
We view with pride and satisfaction this
bright picture Of our country's growth
and prosperity, while only closer scru-
Tiny develops sombre shading. Upon
more careful inspection we find the
wealth and luxury of our cities mingled
With poverty and wretchedness and un-
toll. A crowded and con-
'tantly increasing urban population sug-
rests the impoverishment of rural Sec
ions and discomfort with agricultural
pursuits. The farmers son, not satisfied !
With his fathers simple and laborious {
lie, joins the eager chase for easily-ac- /,
Iuired wealth.
We discover that the fortunes realized
y our manufacturers are no longer SOLE
Y the reward of sturdy industry and en-
ghtened foresight, but that they result
rom the discriminating favor of the gov s
and are largely built upon un-
ue exactions from the masses OF our peo- ,
le. The gulf between employers and ,
ne employed is constantly widening and
iasses are rapidly forming, one compris-
lg the very rich and powerful, while in
mother are found the toiling poor.
AS we view the achievements of aggre-
ated capital, we discover the existence I
trusts, combinations and monopolies, v
lille the citizen is struggling far In the p
sar or Is trampled to death beneath an q
on heel. Corporations, which should r,
, the carefully restrained creatures of !,
10 law and the servants of the people,
Q fast becoming the peoples masters. ..
Still congratulating ourselves upon the a
ealth and prosperity Of our country, =
I'd complacently contemplating every =
cident of change inseparable from these pi
nditions, 1t il our duty as patriotic citi- IL
MS to inquire, at the present stage Of u