The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-30

Laws, and not mon, are our governors;
the people make the laws and respect and
enforce their creations but the stability OF
order depends upon tho intelligence OK the
votes. Here the lawyers duty Is plain
and the mission clear. Suffrage can, II II
pleases, annihilate property and dissolve
corporations; but the majority are invest
ors in land or personally, and would iercely
defend what they own. They do not wish
the limit fixed beyond which neither they
nor their children may 20. The procession
from the bottom, in Its upward march, Is
forever passing the unfortunate, who are
coming down from the top. The second
or third generation, with few exceptions,
end where the first began.
And vet II the laws were so framed or
were so interpreted by the courts, that any
advantage was given TO one class OF ciu-
zens not equally enjoyed by all, the ma
jority, In sternly seeking a remedy, might
overlurn the very foundations OF vested
rights and and interests, and plunge tho
Commonwealth into chaos. SEQ to II that
all the burdens OF the State are equally
borne and It's benefits open alike to all.
Keep the roads paved and FREQ from OBJ
struciions by which the industrious, the
honest and the capable, with no additional
capital but character. can rise from any
condition to the highest honors OF the Re-
public, and the highest rewards Of busi-
ness. Defamation is cheap and the yo-
cabulary OF cpithet large and easily access
ible. but they remedy no evels. An emf
ncnt jurist said TO me recently that many
ambitious lawyers in his State had preached
from the stump and on the platform that
railroad ownership was robbery, and Its
coniiscation by special taxation and unrc.
muncratiye rates patriotic duty. They
sought by this appeal 10 temporary inter-
ests to become Judges aud Congressman,
though they knew that the general incul-
cation and adoption OF the principle would
end in Communism and the destruction
Of tho property OF the people they proicssed
a desire 10 protect
PALACES or ANARCHY.
Tho anarchist, ignorant Of liberty, madly
plots aud dies for the overthrow OF law,
order and religion; but he is at least hon
est In his convictions and purposes.
Fifteen years ago one man owned ma
jority OF the stock OF the New York Cen
trail Railroad and iew others most OF the
balance. Now II has 10000 .proprietors,
and the large majority OF them are people
Of small property. This indicates a process
OF distribution which will speedily change
the character and management Of Ameri-
can corporations. The magnitude OF mod
ern enterprises and the close competitions
OF business have rendered the massng Of
money OF the many into one company q
necessity which seems to be steadily in.
crcasing. The only other suggestion for
carrying on the great affairs essential TO
comfortable living In our complex ciyiiiza.
ton IL for the Government 10 conduct them
all. But experience has demonstrated that
then, rs In the German railways, the peo-
pie get tho minimum OF service for tho
maximum OF price, and an army OF Office
holders keeps its party In power. and pre-
vents the reform OF abuses or the remedy
OF wrongs. We meet the question better
by q compromise which may be wisely en-
larged VI State and national supervision.
That the Government should watch the
management and bring II TO frequent &C.
countabilty, that II should firmly protect
the pubic, the stakeholder and employees,
Is the present. II imperfect, solution OF the
corporation problem.
Tho gilded idiots who dissipate their
time aud affect social superiority over
those who work, and the millionaires who
never remember that wealth Is q trust In.
yolying corresponding obligations TO tho
public, are exasperating sources OF agi-
tation against the conditions which make
them possible. But without the aid OF
primogcniturc and entail TO protect estates
against the operation OF natural laws,
pluiocmcy has, In tho inhrmiiies OF man
kind and the division OF accumualions
among descendants, the active principle OF
disinlcgration aud constant redistribution.
TmE GREATEST nES MUST RisE.
Masieriul men always forge ahead. In
the tribal conditions they become chiefs.
In war they are generals. In politics the
statesmen and party leadcrA In the pro-
LESSONS they command the largo incomes
In journalism they control public opinion.
and In is modern development own groat
and profitable newspapers. In business
ihoy nse from nothing TO be mill and mine
owners, merchants, contractors, million
aires.
Monarchics and afislocracics maintain
barriers OF rank aud caste, over which
these natural leaders cannot climb, aud
they remain the slaves of the accidents OF
birth. Hut In dcmocracics. whore equal
rights aud opportunities are shared by all,
u Il IA decided 10 rcprcss the ambition.
aud successful, no Improvement has been
suggested by our modern Jewelers. upon
tho ancient Grccian method OF killing
them. Perhaps II they lived 10 the Bibli
cal period oi several hundred years some
action might ho necessary, but God and
Nature have made laws. which. unless 70
siTicied In their operation by human logis
lation, give 10 all men aud women theil
full opportunities 10 work out their owl
dcstinics, and provide the incentives tC
efforts aud ambitions which promote the
enterprises and develop the resources ol
tho country, and enrich and inyigoralo Ia
intellectual life.
Evolution aud environment easily de.
volopcd In the older States that indeslruct
iblo union OF liberty aud law which hal
given character aud pcrpeluiiy In Amer
can institutions II produced these per
/ feet conditions OF freedom, protection ant
equality. which peoples have sought ioI
ages through bloody revolutions, ant
never before found. II has attracted 4
our shores II, 200. 900 OF cmlgraniA. agl.ns
tho superior advantages Of soil and eli
mate la Mexico and South America, OF
equal material opportunities In Canada
Most OF this vast population have he,
FROM tho oppression Of laws made iol
classes and working injustice and wronI
~ the mEssoA
CONCERNING rNIosANrS
They have been Of incalculablc bcncl
10 the county, aud without them our de
yolopmont and resources would DO Aft!
years behind their present state. The
have brought with them industry. inlog
rlty aud an Intense desire 10 better thei
lives aud improve tho condition Of thol
children. but with many Of them govern
mont was by tradition and experience At
engine for oppression; aud law, the polio