Nevada County picayune., 1888-02-15
Equal Rights.

the principle of equal rights. The introduction of favoritism of class or section. in whatever form, no matter under what pretext, is inimi- cal to the nature of that political compact which holds us together as one people. Hence any form of so- called legislation which forces from the pockets of any number of citi- zens contributions to the private fortunes of others. is dcspotic in it's nature. Ii is robbery which the solemn forms of law can never miti- gate or extenuate. It is a stride in- to by-way which leads to destruct- ton. To persist in course which leads astrav from first principles is not only dangerous. but it must ultimate ly result fatally. Taxation, in what ever form. in the interests of individ- ual enterprises is an incipient usurpa- ton, the consistent conclusion of which is the utter subversion of that central doctrine of equality from which spring all our free institu- tions and our happiness and prosper itv. as well as our manhood. Devi- ating from this doctrine of equality. we are rapidly drifting into oli- garchy, with a possible remainder over to anarchy. The plutocrat is abroad in the land. Wealth, with all its attendant power, is fast cent ering in the hands of the comparativ- ly few and mainly in one particular section of the country. Monopolies, built up by the sweat wrung from the brows of the millions of toilers, wave their golden scepters over the halls of legislation. The senator carries his qualifications in his pocket. How to make the rich richer and the poor poor poorer, has become one of the higher aims of modern statesman ship. Protective taxation is found to be means admirably adapted to that end Under the vigorous ap- plication of this process the pamper- ed manufactured is enable to starve his poor operatives into submission to his memorable cry for more. By the application of this process the Vest ern farmer has been forced to cast his earnings into the treasuries of the rich men of the East. By the appli- cation of the same process, the same farmer, when reduced to want, has been driven to borrow his own hard earned money back from the same cap italist and pledge his homestead as security. By the continuation of the same process the same farmer has been compelled to surrender his home and go out, penniless. to begin work afresh for his unsuitable masters. By the application of this process the blanket is stripped from the shivering child of poverty and his frail formed exposed to the pit tiless frost of the winters midnight
 By the application of this process the slave of protection is not allowed, at last, to enter his finali gloomy abode till the hands of his master have received the tax lev jed upon the shroud. In the face of such facts, how hollow the pretence that our boasted equality is anything more than theoretical. What sol emn mockery becomes the celebration of the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. the day on which it was declared that all men are crea- ted free and equal. Such declara- tions were then denominated treason. Are they now as popular as they should be. Shall these things con tinue! Can we suffer the republic to he wrenched from its foundation and apprehend no danger of its downfall: Will the insatiate greed of wealth pay no heed to the belated warning which is born upon the ris- ing waves of discontent! Can the golden calf save its worshippers when the hour of calamity comes Outraged freedom will not always softly plead for that redress hitherto so stubhornly denied.
 HENRY C. MNTER.
 KEYTESvILLE. January ,.