Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-12-06
.CLEVELAND'S MESSAGE.



To the Congress of the Cnifed States.
As you assemble for the discharge Of the duths
you have assumed as the representatives Of a free
and generous people, your meeting Is marked by
ON interesting and impressive incident. With the
expiration Of the present session OF the congress
the first century Of our constitutional existence as
q nation viii he completed
our survival for one hundred years IS not suf-
nccnt 70 assure us that We no longer have dangers
10 fear in The maintenance, with all It's promised
blessings OF q government founded upon the free
dom Of the peCVe The tiroe rather admOnishes
us to soberly enquire whether in the past we have
always closely kept in the course Of safety and
whether we have before us q way plain ana clear
which leads 10 happiness and perpetuity
When the experiment Of our government was
undertaken the chart adopted for our guidance
was the constitution and departure from the lne,'
there laid down is failure II Is only by strict adj
herence TO the direction they indicate, and by re-
straint within the limitations they fixed that we
can furnish proof 10 the world of the fitness OF
the American people ioS sell government th h
underlying principle OF our institutions, and which
should not be confined 10 the relations OF our ci
zens TO each other.
The government itself Is under bond to the
American people, that in the exercise Of the func-
lions and powers il will deal with the body OF our
citizens in manner scrupulously honest ana talr
and absolutely just IL 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 lite shall give rise TO dis
tinctiOn in the treatment Of the people by their
government The citizen of the republic in its
early day rigidly insisted upon full compliance
with the letter of This bond, and saw stretching
out before him clear field for individual
endeavOr His tribute to the support OF his gov
eminent was measured by the cost OF its
economical maintenance and he was secure in
the enjoyment Of the remaining recompense or
his steady and cOntented devotion 10 10. In these
days the frugaty Of the people was stamped
upon their government and was enforced 10y the
free thoughtful and intelligent suffrage OF the
citizens. Combinations, monopolies and aggre-
cations of capital were either avoided or steTny
regulated and restrained. The pomp and glitter
of governments less free offered no temptation
and presented no dclusOn 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 has gwen
them. a century has passed our cities are
the abiding places of wealth and luxury; our
by the fathers Of the republic; our business men
are madly striving in the race for riches aud i'm
meuce aggregatiOus Of capital outrun the imag
nation in the magnitude OF their undertakings.
We view with pride and satisfaction tins bright
picture Of our countrys growth and prosperity
while closer scrutiny develops a somber Shad
ing Upon more careful inspection, we Ind the
wealth and luxury Of our cities mingled with
poverty and wretchedncSs; and uurenunesatiye
Toll crowded and constantly Increasing urbane
population, suggests the impovef1shmeut OF rural
y tiOns, and discomfort with agricultural pur-
suits The farmers SON not satisfied with his
fathers simple and laborious life Joins the larger
chase for easily acquired wealth We discover
that the fortunes realized by our manufacturers,
are no longer solely the reward Of sturdy industry
and enlightened foresight but that they result from
the discriminating favor Of the government, and
are largely built upon undue eXacton from the
masses " our people The gulf between en-
ployers and the employed is constantly widening,
and classes are rapidly forming, one com
prisug the very rich and powerful while
IN another are found the tOilng poor. As
we view the achievement of aggregated cap
ital we discover the existence of trusts comblna-
far in the rear or is tramped TO death beneath an
iron heel Corporations which should be the care
fully rcsi aimed creatures Of the law and the ser
wants OF q people are fast becoming the people 8
masters. Still c0ngtatulating ourselves upon the
wealth and prosperity of our country and com
placeuty contemplating every incident OF change
patriotic citizens 10 inquire NJ the present stage Of
our progress, how the bond ol the government
made with the people has been kept and per
formed