Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1889-10-12

cruel hvOMtlSm To divert a plrt OF
those earnings into the pockets of
chosen benetciaries.
And worst of all false pretenseS it
imposes on ignorance and plays with
patriotism, by calling this policy the
American SYSTEM" when in truth
it is but the cast-otf garment of
British craftsmanship.
More than 40 years ago, when
England sought to widen the bounds
of freedom, she decreed the extinc~
tion Of her system of class taxation.
In lifting the burden efunequal taxes
from the backs of her laborers, she
lifted political and social pressure
which was equally ms heavy, and to
freeman far more CALLING,
This so.called "American system"
makes the American laborer more of
serf than his English brother.
From his current earnings it gathers
not only bulk Of the taxes needed for
the support of Government, but even
greater sums to be bestowed in free
and unearned bounty on those who
are already so rich that they are his
employers. Out of these bounties
are springing up monOpolies, mon-
ster combinations Of capital, and the
trusts that wrap themselves about
with the mantle of concealment
while they WELD the power of swell
ing millions. t
The Democratic party appeals to
the youth Of the country to rally to
its standard and fight against these
sentiments and policies of the Re.
publican party. Over against the
banner of the Bloody Shirt it plants
the flag ofaIrestored union and Il re-
conciled people a. flag that repre-
sents no primacy of section, no grades
or geographical distinctions of citizen
ship, but equality Of States and
equality Of people.
Against political capitalization, by
the massing of powers in the Federal
Government, it fights for vigorous
and healthy local government as the
safeguard of personal freedom.
Against the Capitalization of wealth
by unjust taxation, it fights for
equality of burdens as the condition
of equal manhood. In all its history,
and never more zealOusly than now,
it has championed the cause of the
individual. 1t has not sought to add
to the powers of the Government,
but to the stature of the men; not to
circumscribe the citizen with in
creasing interference, but to widen
the bounds of his free untrammeled
actions. Trusting to the capacity
and virtue of the whole people to
govern themselves, it has never per-
mitted a few to share in the powers
of taxation as a reward for their adj
ministration OF government or rs a
bride for their support Of party.
Knowing that under any wise and
frugal government, prosperity and
wealth would come by natural laws
to our people, its concern has not
been how it might increase trade or
wealth, but how it might preserve
and secure liberty.
1t recognizes that to foster capital
is to make labor more dependent.
True Democracy means chance
in life for every man. We have
loved to boast that under free anG
equal government we had forever
rid ourselves of the class laws ant
: social prejudices that made honors
and social position and property thu
, heritage of a privileged order anC
condemned the great body of thu
people to a poverty and obsecurity
} from which there was no escape. W.
5 have rightly pointed to our young
: men who have risen from lowlies
beginnings by mere force of virtu,
and merit as the most precious frui
S of free institutions. Yet this fruit i
now threatened with deadly blight
# The corporation, steam and electrici
t ty, the great forces of modern indus
t try are terribly centralizing in thei
= effects. BY their own free play the,
Il threaten the integrity of governmeE
l. and the liberty Of the citizen. Blu
j. when the law steps in, not to curb o
= chaSten, but to aid and increase thei
It effects, to add to the power ofwealth
5, to cherish and protect monopoly an
= to stimulate that latest and mos
o dangerous form of commercial com
2 binatiOn, the Capitalization of col
Il porations into trusts, shadow
Il flung across the path of the America
" youth: barriers that cannot be SUI