Workmen's advocate., 1889-05-18
OUR COUNTRY.

The great throng in the streets of New York during the Centennial celebration that were induced by patriotic senti- ment to come hither from all parts of the United States is an evidence that the interest of the peoplem be excited above the routine of the day, and then they are willing to sacrifice peCuniarily and cheerfully endure inConveniences which ordinarily would not be borne. To this extent it Is gratifying evidence that higher motives aCtuate the masses than mere worship of the almighty dollar, which at times seems all-devouring, and stamps the outer signature of the life of this nation as barren of ideality.
 Patriotism! What is it? Love of country; devotion to its interests, What creates it? It is the belief that the in. dividual is protected by the strong arm of all the people united through the means of the political institutions that assure liberty and justice in the rela- tiOns of man to man,
 The great enthusiasm of the people, of which we just had a glimpse on the Centennial birthday of the Republic, shows that they think that all the bles- sings of this political institution are in reality assured to them, and yet it is a gross deception. The economic condi- tions are perverted. An oigarchy re- sultng from class legislation is all pow erful. The republic IS undermined, and exists only in appearance. A man is never truly man unless he is econOml cally independent of other individuals control. The republican institution is supposed to protect this prime interest of the man. If the. people awaken to the utter perversion of the political and economic conditions, they will see cause for anxiety, and arouse to earnest duties to ward off the dangers that threaten them.
 Witness the dependence of the masses upon the wealthy classes for the means of existence. They are utterly at the mercy of the pOssessOrs of the s0il--of the instruments of labOr-of the means of communication. In what particular are they not slaves? Do you find any | protection from "repuhhcan institu- tons' when the advantages of the State are aCcruing to the interest of the few at the expense of the many? Was it anything else but deceit when the press, the orators, the preachers and others pointed with pride to the great prog ress of the nation within the short space of time of a century-how, out of a wilderness, civilized and one of the most powerful nations sprang into eX- 1 istence2 IL is indeed wonderful to what extent the material progress developed {; but it is simply an accumulation of wealth in the hands of the few. If those who are the possessOrs of it to- day had had to produce it, it would have no existence. This shows the injustice of the conditions. The masses have created the wealth; therefore, they are the rghtful owners of it, but they are not in possession thereof For this req son 1t is not national wealth. If there is no change from these conditions in the near future, the deterioration of | the nation is surely coming.
 On the other hand, there is no ques- tion that the nation is endowed with Sol tiny: for what has been accomplished materially up to to-day is an indication of the possibilities of the future, provid- ing the conditions of growth are not circumscribed - the ways to it not blocked by creations in which the dor mant energy finds no awakening for want of opportunity to call it forth.
 The broad belt of continent, stretch ing from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Lakes to the Gulf. with eli ma s of the Arctic and the Equator and the intermediates of these extremes; every possibility is opened to our citi- zens for their welfare if we only under stand how to utilize the bounties of nature. For these reasons the prospects of the future are so great, always pro- viding that intelligence and justice of fers the opportunity, providing the strong arm of the State wards off avar- ice. There is only promise of prosperity in these latter conditions. Intelligence often surmounts difficulties and assures success; indeed, it and the industry of men alone can create wealth. Our de feet consists in this: That we obstruct the ways to the opportunities for work. As long as there is ability and willing ness to work there should not be any want for the means to sustain life. We are qualified and may acquire the quail fcatIons in a higher degree to see tho opportunities "Mother Nature" offers us, and we hold that in democratic republic the interests of all the people should be protected; for it is government
 for the people, by the people. What ever of blessing there may be in it folds must accrue to all F. s. NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN.