The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-05-12

was a Philadelphian for few days during
the week. Glad to see Jonah
The May number of the North American
RepieiC Is a very interesting volume The
contributions from Gladstone, Field and
Rapsher are very valuable, instructive aud
educating. There is pleasure connected
with this volume for Carbon county people.
To feel that one of It's eminent citizens Is
capable of writing an article sufficiently in
cisive and meritorious for this critical and
leading American Review, the equal of any
in the world, with the largest circulation in
Europe Of any periodical from this country,
is most pleasant especially for all such who
have any pride in the success of neigh
Dor, and who are not begrudgingly selfish.
The simple fact of getting an article in this
ReUiew stamps the contributor as an able
man; concise and logical thinker, for
none other have admission to these pages.
A mans reputation is made not only locally
but internationally, If up" sufficiently to
have his name inscribed as an author in
this work. Dangerous Trusts" Rapsher's
contribution, is an article well worthy the
perusal and study Of the observer of the ir-
repressible conflict that IS forming Itself on
account Of the expressions springing from
those horrible excressences, TRUSTS" 1t
is mastery philippe delivered against an
charmed circle" The powerful logic and
great perceptive power demonstrated upon
such perilous and stupendous evils involved,
places this man of great legal accumen in
the rank of the ablest OF obseryant men.
The wrongs depicted by the correct analysis
of condition so full of excressences that
are contrary to anything that savors of
justice or right does credit to the mind and
heart of the author.
The evils of "Trusts" and monopolies,
their expressions and tendencies, their ruth
less and shameless perversion of trade, their
abuse and destruction Of equality of oppor-
tunIty and the right to individual existence
are indeed producing an irrepresslble con-
flict as abhorrent and sequential as those
conflicts which racked Rome in the height
of her glory. Were the plebians of old eyer
worse cajoled and oppressed than the same
class of to-day are, taking into considera-
tion the advance in education, civilization,
and the improvement of the arts and scien-
ces for the betteTment of mankind? Is the
tendency of this concentration and absorp-
tion to continue? If it is then there will
be revolutionary action precipltated as the
means of salvation for Republican institu-
tions. A salvation, the redemption of
which means more than it means now.
''After me the deluge," exclaimed King
ers block. And after trusts" and monop-
olies have produced reaction what then?
A deluge of what? A wise and cautious
people will take time by the foIelock. They
will erect barriers and restrictions and drive
from the temples of lawmakers those male-
factors who are trafficking in the rights and
liberties Of the people. Gain and selfish
ends should not be the object of such. The
education of the people is too advanced and
improved to permit continuation of such
a condition. To educate people and give
them understanding, that understanding
which permits rational distinction be-
tween the right and wrong, between the
justice that belongs to the right TO liye and
the wrong that oppresses, and then deny
them those privileges which pertain to a
comfortable Lying and which an All Wise
Creator provided, is like poking a red-hot
iron into can of dynamite. In this ex-
ploslon no monopolies, no "trusts" will be
so big as not to be broken. Dangerous
Trusts" indicate a relief from a condition
so fraught with evil and danger. If the
government has right to aid private en-
terprises, such as pertain TO the common
good, why has it not right to own and
conduct such enterprises for the good of all.
This is asked persistently and properly.
Or why has 1t not right to exact a strict
surveillance over suchP This, of course,
only applies to the great public highways
and mediums of transmission which secure
them rights of doing business from the gov
ernment and which as rule are conducted
by few private parties, not for the COM
mon good but for the luxury and gain of a
few thigh cockolorums. No same man
would haye that business which the indi-
yidual conducts without a special privilege
being granted him from the State, inter
fered with or regulated by legislation. OF
this view, there are people who will claim
that the diagnosis as presented by "Dan-
gerous Trusts smacks of paternalism-
namely, that if the government has right
to aid transportation lines and mediums IL
has right TO manage and own them. For
the sake of argument let us admit that it
squints in that direction, yet it does no
more argue 1t than does the fact that the
State grants charters and cedes the right of
eminent domain, etc. Now il this is pattern
alism, the question arises which of the two
evils is preferable, that paternity lodged in
the hands of the people or that unjust pa
ternity which permits a few men, selfish
and inconsiderate as the common herd of
men are, to act as the parent of all the peo-
pie, by virtue of the power assumed and
delegated through unnatural privileges
granted under the guise of the Law. OF the
two the paternity of the people for the peo-
pie is decidedly preferable. This kind of
paternalism allows the people to be the con-
servators of their own affairs, thereby
making them responsible for their own con-
dition. Here they have chance of choos-
ing and regulating, If oppressed the fault is
with them. But under the paternalism of
unbridled monopoles and trusts it is only
question of submission TO that which sell
fish and irresponsible agents may feel like
doleing out from some apartment. Thus
people are but automatoms. SIT is poverty
not ignorance that makes people submls-
slve; has its ready application, but the
long submission under too much strain has
its ending.
Hon. Lewis C. Cassidy, one of the ablest
and most eminent Democrats in Pennsyl-
vania, is prominently mentioned for dele
gate-at-large to the st. Louis Convention.
The State Convention of May 23rd could
make no better selection. The ex-Attorney
General is not only well equipped in point
OF great ability, but is an ardent Democrat
and in hearty, earnest and cordial accord
with CleYeland's Administration. He sizes
up to the requirements of the occasion and
II is hoped that his success will be assured.
The Carbon delegation to the Convention
ought to be in the forefront of the move
ment to elect Cassidy. RIALTo.
BrOadbrimS New York Letter.