Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-03-02

from as put 1t is still possible to bring 1t back
Soon 1t VIII be too late 10 do So but to-day there
is vet time though there is none to waste.
The Nationalist of the United States ask
the cooperation of their fellow-countrymen to
bring back the republic. To that end they pro-
pose reorganization OF the industrial system
which shall restore the equality of the people
and secure 1t by perpetual guarantee.
In advocating plan to secure the
EQUALITY OF CITIZENS
we propose to graft new or strange principle
upon the republican idea, but the exercise of
power implied in the very idea of Republicanism
as ultimately necessary to its preservation. a
republic IS form of government based upon and
guaranteeing to all citizens common interest
IN the national concern. That interest can be
common only in proportion as it is substantially
an equality of interest. The time has now come
IN America, as 1t has come sooner or later in the
history of all republics. when by the increase of
wealth and by gross disparity in its distribution,
TINS quality In its three spectS-poitlca social,
industrial-is threatened with complete subver
sion. Il order, under the changed conditions,
to make good the original pledge OF the republic
10 Its citizens 1t has become necessary to re-es-
tablish and maintain by some deliberate plan
that economic equality, the basis OF all other
sorts of equality, which, when the republic was
established existed in substantial degree by
nature. The question is not of assuming new
obligation, but whether the original ends and
purposes of the republican compact spall be re-
pudiated. We demand that the republic keep
faith with the people, and propose plan of in
dustrial organization which seems to US the only
possible means by which that faith can be kept.
We are the true conservative party, because we
devoted to the maintenance of republican
institutions against the revolution now being
effected by the money power. We propose no
revolution, but that the people shall resist
revolution We oppose those who are over
throwing the republic. Let no mistake be made
here. We are not revolutionists, but counter
revolutionists.
But while the guarantee of the equality of
citizens is thus measure amply justified and
necessitated by merely patriotic and national
considerations, without looking further for ar
guments, we do, IN proposing TINS action, look
both further and higher, to the ends Of the
earth, indeed, and the ultimate destiny Of the
race.
While historic, political and economic condi-
tons require that this movement should be con-
Quoted on national lines by each people for it
self, we hold the economic equality CT ali men
principle of universal application, having for
its goal the eventual establishment of q brother
hood Of humanity as wide as the world and az
numerous as MANKIND. Ihose VINO beneVe thaV
all men are brothers, and should so regard one
another, must believe in the equality of man,
for equals only can be brothers. Even brothers
by blood do but hate each other the more bitterly
for the tie when the inheritance is unequally
parted between them, while strangers are pres
emily made to feel like brothers by equality Of
interest and community of loss and gain. There
fore. we look to the establishment of equality
among men as the physical basis necessary 10
realize that brotherhood OF humanity regarded
by the good and wise of all ages as the ideal
state of society. We believe that wonderful
confluence. at the present epoch, of material
and moral tendencies throughout the world, but
especially in America, has made great step In
the evolution of humanity, not only possible
are surrounded by perils from which the only
way of escape is the way upward.
The plan of industrial reorganization which
Nationalism proposes is the very simple and OBJ
vious one of placing the industrial duty of citi-
Zens on the ground on which military duty al
ready rests All able-b bodied citizens are held
bound to fight for the nation, and, on the other
hand, the nation IS bound to protect all citizens,
whether they are able to fight or not Why not
extend this accepted principle to industry, and
hold every able bodied citizen bound to work
for the nation, whether with mind or muscle,
and on the other hand, hold the nation bound to
guarantee the livelihood of every citizen,
whether able to work or not? As in milit airy
matters the duty to fight is conditioned upon
physical ability. while the right OF protection IS
conditioned only upon citizenship, so would
we condition the obligation to work upon the
strength to work, but the right to support upon
citizenship only.
The result would be to substitute for the pres
ent ceaseless industrial civil war, OF which it
would be hard to say whether it is more
brutal or more wasteful, partnership OF all the
people, great joint stock company to carry on
the business of the country for the benefit of all
equally, women with men, sick with well, strong
with weak. This plan of national business
partnership of equals we hold not only to be
demonStratably practicable, but to constitute as
truly tie only scientific plan for utilizing the
energy of the people III wealth production, as IL
is the only basis for society consistent with JUS
tice, with the sentiment of brotherhood, with
the teachings of the founder of Christianity,
and, indeed, OF the founders of all great relig-
ions.
The realization of the proposed plan of indus
try requires as
THE FIRST STEP
the acquisition by the nation, through its gov
ernment general, state and municipal, OF the
present industrial machinery of the country. 1t
follows, therefore, that the Nationalists' pro-
gramme must begin with the progressive nation
slization OF the industries of the United States.
In proposing this course we are animated by no
sentiment of bitterness toward individuals or
classes. In antagonizing the money power we
antagonize not men, but a system. We advocate
,.sap1, rrvi1
produce arrangement of business undue
hardship to Individuals. We aim to change the
law by the law, and the constitution, if neces-
sary, by constitutional methods. AS to the
order in which industries should be nationalized,
priority should naturally be given to those the
great wealth of which renders them perilous to
legislative independence, to those which deal
eXtortionately with the public or oppressively
with employees, to those which are highly sys-
tematiZed and centralized and to those which
can be readily assimilated by existing depart
ments Of government.
The following are the measures in the line of
this policy for which the country appears to be
quite ready:
First-The naturalization of the railroad,
whether by constituting the United States per-
petual raceiver OF all lines, to manage the same
for the public interest, paying over to the pres
ent security holders, pending the complete
adjustment of nationalism, such reasonable
dividends just valuation of the property as
may be earned, or by some other practicable
method not involving hardship to individuals.
The naturalization of the railroads is RdviSa-
bic for reasons apart from the nationalist pro-
gramme proper. Firstly, the railroad corpora
tions, by the corrupt use of their vast wealth to
procure and prevent legislation, among the
most formidable of the influences which are de-
bauching government. Secondly, the
power they WELD irresponsibly over the pros
psrity of cities states and entire sections of the
country, ought to be in the hands only of the
general government Thirdly, the desperate
rivalry of the railroad, with its incidents of
reckless extension, duplication and rate wars,
has long been a chief waste of the national re-
sources and a cause of period cal business
crises. Fourthly, the financial management of
n large portion of the railroad system together
with its use for speculative purposes, has rem
dered railroad fnauciering the most gigantic
gambling and general swindling business ever
carried on in any country. Filthy, the con-
venience and safety of the travelling public de-
mand uniform and harmonious railroad sys-
tenn thr oughout the country, is it likely
that anything less will bring to end the cruel
slaughter of railroad employees carried on
by the corporations to the
DISGRACE OF OUR CIVILIZATION.
A second measure for which the people are
certainly quite ready is the naturalization of
the telegraphic and telephone services. and their
addition to the postoffice, with which, as de-
of transmission of intelligence, they
should properly always have been connected.
Third-Wc propose that the express business
of the country be assumed by the postofhces,
according to the successful practice of other