The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-06-21
Nations Decay and Pass to OBLIVION

md fall of all nations. None have exactly
fallen since the Christian era, but history is
full of the ruins of ancient nations and one
cause has preceded and caused them all.
The stealing of the wealth of the many into
the hands of the few has been the cause
IF tie blotting out Of empires. When Egypt
persisted three per cent of her population
owned nearly all of the wealth. The peo-
pie were starved to death. When Babylon
went down two per cent of the population
owned all the wealth. The people were
starved to death. When Persia went down
one per ceut of the population owned the
land. When Rome went down 1,SC0 men
owned all the known world One remark
able fact in this connection is that those
dead nations showed, when in the last stages
and when decay had far advance, TO super
fetal observers, the greatest signs of pros
perly. They were gorgeous with splendor
and art. The magnifcence Of wealth and
luxury shown everywhere. but right at its
feet crouched the gaunt form of poverty and
famine. The producing classes were starry
ing while the most of that which industry
had produced passed into the hands Of the
few who wasted it in riotous living drunk
enness and vain show. Grandeur and moral
ro;tenness reached their height in the reign
of Cleopatra, Egypts beauteous Queen.
Rome was at the pinnacle of her splendor in
the reign of Augustus Caesar. And on back
through Greece and the great Asiatic en-
pires we trace the same causes aud effects,
which doubtless applies TO nations which
history has no records of and whose exist.
ence is only traced in nameless ruins.
For the last twenty odd years the. United
States has been travelling in this path which
led other nations to their ruin, very rapid
ly. In 1850 capitalists owned thirty-seven
and one-half per cent of the nations wealth.
In 1870 they owned sixty-three per cent.
Since then the accumulation of capital in
the hands Of the few has been vastly greater.
The progress Of events has been much more
rapid in modern than in ancient times.
The application Of science to the arts, and
the invention of machinery to perform the
work that was formerly executed by human
hands has crowded achievements of
ancien, centuries into modern years. Thus
while the accumulation Of wealth by
improved means has been rapid, beyond
comparison. the slow grinding Of pow
erty on the masses ha, not been suflic-
lent TO bring them down to the brute-like
condition of the ancients, hence they
are taking the alarm while they retain
most of their prestine vigor and pride
of manhood, and are showing that active
resistance which never before in the worlds
history met the graspers OF all national
wealth by the producing cliss. In this lies
Americas hope from the fate which en-
shroLds dead Asia. The people in their
youthful visor are bravely facing their
natural enemy, wealth, licentiousness and
luxury in one deadly combine. The de-
slroyer of nations has made its appearance
early in America while the people are yet
in the vigor Of youth; and popular education
is also powerful antidote to the moral
pestilence which is even now stalking at
MONDAY.
No nation ever fell till its farming popu-
lation was reduced to serfs, and poverty
and famine crouched at the feet of luxury
and dissipation in the cities.
The farming population of America must
save America from the fate that overlook
the ancients, or Columbia too, must tread
down TO the silent grave which entombs all
that was worth Lying for In antiquity. The
arlizan, the mechanic, the denizen of the
city penned within his walls of brick can
never resist successfully the arch enemy
all wealth in few hands. Famine is al
ready at his door sill and hearthstone. Had
it not been for the great outlet which Amer
lea provided for the famine stricken, down
trodden population Of Europe, that continent
Asia, The farming population Of that por-
ton of the old world called 'the continent"
is little above the condition OF serfS at pres
ent. England, too, has fallen from her
sturdy manhood of other days in the decay
of her yeomanry. To the rural population
of Amesica the world alone must turn its
eyes for the guardianship and preservation
of its independence and freedom from the
enemies Of the human race we have above
pointed out, and unless they Unite in closer
bonds, and make a common cause for the
we'll being of the whole the blessings of
liberty and life will be gradually stolen
away from them. That calamity will not
be reached in this generation or the next,
but each succeeding generation will take
step nearer to the grave which enlombs the
ancients.
But 1t is encouraging 10 see a move
ment of the rual population every
where advancing on this line and more
general inquiry by them into the questions
Of public olicy which are SO vital to !heir
well being. A jealous suspicion is spread.
ing, of the vast aggregati,n of wealth into a
few hands, and the inquiry is how such an
abnormal condition was brought about.
and fayoritsm of government is found to be
largely responsible for the unsatisfactory
and unequal conditions into which we have
4 r;f,ad onI ot;Il oont;n,o ,o d.;f, E,.n,o,,