The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-12-11
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

small type, has been laid before the
Congress of the United States, and
having appeared in all the daily papers,
is now going through the weekly press
of the country, either in whole or in
part. 1t is noticeable that the press
Of the country, with singular unanim-
ity, pronounce it to be a splendid State
paper, some going so far as to say it
has not been ~equalled by m similar
paper since the days Of Jackson. Even
his bitterest opponents acknowledge
it to be a mastery production and
we'll worthy the careful study of every
American patriot. 1t would afford us
pleasure to make copious extracts
from this able document, but as our
space is limited, we must content ur.
self by copying the following brief
excerpts which will be read with in
terest by the patrons of THE Pro
GREssIvE FARMER:
DANGER OF UNREsTRAINED CORPORATE
POWER.
AS we view the achievements of aggre-
gated capital we discover the existence of
trusts, combinations and ~monopolies,
while the citizen is struggling far in the
rear, or is trampled to death beneath an
iron heel. Corporations, which should
be the carefully restrained creatures of
the law, and the servants of the people,
are fast becoming the peoples masters.
Still congratulating ourselves upon the
wealth and prosperity of u country,
and complacently contemplating every
incident Of change inseparable from these
conditions, it is our duty as patriotic citi-
zens to inquire at the present stage of
our progress, how the bond of govern
ment made with the people has been kept
and performed. Instead of limiting the
tribute drawn from our citizens to the
necessities of it's economical administra-
ton, the government persists in eXacting
which ~unapplied 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 legitimate channels of
business.
TAXING THE N FOR THE FEW.
Under the same laws by which these
results are produced the government per-
mits many millions more to be added to
the cost of the living of our people to be
taken from our consumers, which I'M
reasonably swell the profits of a small but
powerful minority. The people must still
be taxed for the support of the govern
ment under the operation of tariff laws.
But to the extent that the mass of our
citizens are Unfortunately burdened beyond
any useful public purpose and for the
benefit of a favored few, the government,
unde- pretext of an exercise of it's taxing
power, enters gratuitously into partner
ship with these %favorites, to their advan-
tage, and to the injury of a vast majority
of our people. This is not equality be-
fore the law. The existing situation is
injurious to the health Of our entire body
polite. 1t stiles in those for whose
benefit it is permitted, all patriotic love of
country and substitutes in it's place selfish
greed and grasping avarice.
X X X x =
COMBINED wEALT M CAPITAL.
Communism is a hateful thing and a
menace to peace and organized govern
ment. But the communism of combined
wealth and capital, the outgrowth of
overweening cupidity and selfshness
which insidiously undermines the justice
and integrity of free institutions, is not
less dangerous than the communism of
oppressed poverty and toll, which, exas-
perated by injustice and discomfort, at
tacks with wild disorder the citadel of
rule.
He mocks the people who proposes
that the government shall protect the
rich, and that they in turn will care for
the laboring poor. Any intermediary
between the people and their govern
ment, or at least delegation of the care
and protection the government owes to
the humblest citizen in the land, makes the
boast of free institutions a glittering de-
fusion, and the pretended boon of Ameri-
can citizenship a shameless imposition:
REVISION OF THE TARIFF LAWS.
A just and sensible revision of our
tariff laws should be made for the relief
of those of our conuntrymen who suffer
under the present conditions: Such re-
vision should receive the support of all
who love that justice and equality due to
American citizenship; Of all who realize
that in this justice and equality our gov
eminent finds its strength and its power |
to protect the citizen and his property; of
all who believe that this contented com
petence and comfort of the many accord
better with the spirit of our institutions
than colossal fortunes unfairly gathered
IN the hands OF a few Of all who appre-
clate that forbearance and fraternity
among our DeODle. which RECOGNIZE tbn |