The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-12-04

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soberly inquire whether in the past we
have always closely kept in the course oi
saiety, and whether We have before us q
, way plain and clear which leads to hap
piness and prosperity. When the spirit
Of our Government 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 adherence 10 the direction they
indicate and by restraint within the lin
itations they fix, that we can furnish
proof to the world Of the fitness OF the
American people for selt'goyernment
, The citizen OF our Republic in its early
days rigidly insisted upon full compile
ance with tue letter Of this bond, and
saw stretching out before him clear
field for individual endeavor. His trib-
J ute to the support Of his government
was measured BY the cost OF its econom-
ical n,aintainance, and he was secure in
the enjoyment OF the remaining recon-
pense OF his steady Contentment to
It. In those days the frugallty OF the
people was stamped upon their govern
ment, and was enforced by the free,
thoughtful, and intelligent suffrage
of tho citizen. Combinations,
mOnopolies and aggregations OF cap
ital were either. avoided or Bternly
regulated and restrained. The pOmp
aud glitter OF governments less free, OF.
fered no temptation and presented no
delusion TO the plain people who, side
by side, in friendly ycompeition wrought
for the ennoblement and dignity Of Man,
for the solution ofthe problem offree gov
ernment, and for the achievement OF the
grand destiny awaiting the land which
God had given them. "A century has
passed. Our cities are the abiding
places OF wealth and luxury; our manu-
factures yield fortunes never dreamed Of
by the fathers of the Republic; our. busi-
ness men are madly striving in the race
for riches, and immense aggregrations OF
capital Outrun the Imagination in the
magnitude OF their undertakings.
GETTING DOWN TO TIE TARIFF QUESTION.
We view with pride and satisfaction
this bright picture Of our country's
growth and prosperity, while only n
closer scrutiny develops IL sombre slad'
ing. Upon more careful inspection we
find the wealth and luxuries OF our
cities mingled with poverty and wretch
edness and unTemunerative toll. A
crowded and constantly increasing urban
population suggests the impOverishment
Of rural sections, aud discontent with
agricultural pursuits. The farmers son,
not satisfied with his fathers simplennd
laborious life, joins the eager chase for
easily acquired wealth.
We discover that the fortunes realized
by our manufacturers are no longer sole
| ly the reward ofsturdy industry and en-
! lightened foresight, but that they result
| from the discriminating favor OF the
| Government, and are largely built upon
undue exactions from the MASSES OF our
people. The gull between employers
and tile employed is constantly WIDEN
ing and classes are rapidly forming, one
comprising the very rich and powerful.
while in another are found the toiling
poor.
As we show the achievements OF ag-
gregated capital, we discover the eXis'
tence OF trusts, combinations, and mo-
nopolies, while the citizen is struggling
far in the rear or is trampled TO death
beneath an iron heel. Corporations,
which should be carefully restrained
creatures OF the law and the servants OF
tie people, are fast becoming the Pco-
ple's mnsters. Still cOngratulRting our
selves upon the wealth and prosperity
OF our country, ard complacently
contemplating every incident OF change
inseparable from these conditions
it is our duty us patriotic
citizens to inquire, at the present stage
oi our progress, how the bond OF the
Government made with the people has
been kept and performed. Instead Of
limiting the tribute drawn from our cit
izens, to the necessities OF It's ecOnoml lcal
administration the Government persists
In exacting, from the substance OF tue
people, millions which, nnapplied and
useless, lie dormant in It's Treasury.
This fragrant Injustice and this breach OF
faith and obligation add to extortion the
danger attending the diversion OF the
currency Of the country from the lGgitl'
mate channels OF business.
Under the same laws by which these
results are produced, the government
permits many millions more to the cost
OF the living of our people and. be taken
from our consumers, which nnreasOna-
bly, swell the profits OF q small but pow.
erful minority. The people must still
be taxed for the support OF the govern
mont under the operation OF tariff laws.
But TO the extent that the mass OF our
/, citizens are inordinately bUrdened be-
yond any useful public purpose, and for
the benefit Of Il favored few, the govern.
ment, under pretext OF an exercise Of
: its tnXing power, enters gratuitOusly
into partnership with these fnvOrites, To
their advantage nnd to the injury OF a
, vast majority OF our people.
: This is not equality before the law,
! The existing situation is injurious to the
health Of our entire body polite. II
+. STILES, in those for whose henehtit Is
!. permitted, all patriotic love Of country,
i nlSnbstitutes in its place selfish greed
. and grasping avGrice. Devotion TO Amer
!. lean citizenship for its own sake and ior
= what it should accomplish, rs u motiye
to our national government and the hap
, pincss OF all our people, is displaced by
! the assumption that the government
y instead OF being the embodlment oi
. equality, is but an instrpmentality
through which especial and individual
4, advantages are to be gained,
. The arrogance Of this assumption U
, unConCcaled. II appears in the sordlG
, , disregard Of all but personal interests,
in the refusal to abate Tor the benefit oi
others one iota OF selfish DISADVANTAGE,
and in combinations to perpetuate such
:. advantage, through efforts to control
, legislation and improperly influence the
, sulIragts OF the people. -,
The grievances OF those not included
within the circle OF those beneticiaries
! when fully realized will surely arouse
! irritation and discomfort, Our farmers
= long suffering and patient struggling in
L the race Of life with the hardest and
most unremitting toll, will not fail to
:. misleading iallacies, that they are Obliged
= 10 accent such prices for their products
e rs arc Fixed 10. foreign markets where
y they compete with the farmers OF the
/ world; that their landsare declining IN
:, value while their debts increase; and