Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-25
NOT AN EXPERIMENT.
The Great American Republic
Has Passed Beyond the
Period of Uncertainty.
STILL THERE ARE DANGERS.
A Symposium by Some of the Prom
inent Thinkers Of the Day.
NO FEAR OF KINGS Oh ANARCHY.
Powderly the Only One Who Says We Are
Going to Destruction.
THE WORLD TENDS TO REPUBLIoAyIsM

One of The DIsPATcH's corps Of special
correspondents has submitted to aumoer Of
Americas most prominent thinkers and
public men the following questions:
One-Wnl our present republican form Of
government last 100 years longerf
Two-If not, why not7
Three-What is its greatest perilf
Four-Is there any danger that aliens may 30
buy up the land and foreign syndicates so buy
up the business enterprises as TO obtain con-
troll Of our country and eventually change its
form of government?
The answers received, which comprise Q
most interesting symposium. follow:
Christian Principles the Safeguard.
Cardinal Gibbons says:
ITO the first question reply that not
only fervently trust but also firmly believe
that 1t will. IN view of the preceding, the
second question requires no answer.
Next you aski What is our greatest
peril? 1 answer, a departure from those
Christian principles upon which our very
laws and institutions are based. As lcag as
those Christian principles are maintained
our institutions will. under God, survivs
and flourish. Our laws, which are only ex-
pressious Of eternal law, will command our
respect and therefore our loyal obedience.
On the other hand every departure from
these Christian principles upon which our
social fabric rests-especIally in respect Of
the marriage tie and the freedom of popular
sufffage-tends to the loosening of the
foundation stones of the Republic.
"One of the most admirable features Of
our system of government is the happy bal
ance of Federal power with State autonomy,
and so long as this golden mean is observed
we shall possess strength and liberty and
indestructibility as a great nation.
ITO your fourth query I reply that in
my judgment we need have no fear of for
eign capitalists and foreign syndicates.
Those who invest in our public lands and
our business enterprises will naturally be-
brought into closer acquaintance with our
republican form of government, and there
is little doubt that our institutions and our
laws will gain upon them upon closer ac-
quaintance Moreover, the present influx
of capital cannot in the nature Of things
| continue. The venders will themselves
| soon be in competition with foreign in
vestors so as to obtain, in their turn, pro-
ftable investments. This influx OF capital
| is, according to my view, a positive benefit
| rather than peril to large areas of our un-
| developed continent"
Powderly Sees Disaster Ahead.
Master Workman Powderly, of the
Knights of Labor, writes from Scranton ss
follows:
"I lack the time to do justsce to your
questions, and am unwilling to commit my
self on such important issues hastily. but I
will endeavor to answer briefly the questions
you put to me, but reserve the right TO am
plify my answers in the future, if they
should be called in question.
"First, our republican form of govern
ment cannot last 100 years longer and con-
tinue to drift under the power OF monopoly
and wealth as it is doing now; in fact, the
moneyed power at the present day forms an
aristocracy, or plutocracy, which entirely
nullifes every sertion, clause and article in
our bill of rights whenever they are called
in question in behalf of the people.
"Our republican form of government can
not last 100 years longer for the reasons
have given. This answers your first and
second questions.
"Third-The greatest peril menscing our
Government is the poverty and indifference
of our people. The poor are so oppressed
that they are forced to sell themselves for
what they can get, and thus are at the
mercy of the bosses, the plant tools OF mo-
nopoly, who forge to the 'front.' in our politi-
cal parties. The people are driven to the
polls to vote for their oppressors, and dare
not murmur for fear of dismissal from en-
ployment. Those who can be more indie
pendent are Indifferent or so absorbed in
business affairs that they do not note the
rapid advances of this Unforeseen power.
ITO your fourth question let me say that
do not care whether it be an alien or na-
tive syndicate that buys up the land or busi-
ness enterprises OF the country, for the in
stinct Of greed is the same in an American
as an Englishman, and we have, therefore,
as much to fear from land stealing in one
form as another"
The Danger Growing Less.
Senator Evarts is one Of the optimists. He
'tIn my Judgment the Constitution Of the
United States is better and stronger than 10
was hundred years ago. The great people
that has grown up under its protection il
more capable OF sustaining free institutions
than at any earlier period. Every genera
tion, no doubt, Will fnd evils to be guarded
against and good principles to need deyel-
ment and defense. A more intimate feeling
of unity throughout the nation, and sub
ordination o, local and particular interests
to the general good, and a 'vatchful stten-
tion to preserve our industrial and social In.
dependence of Europe must for years to
come be the great duty Of this people.
can foresee no danger OF q serious or per-
manent desertion Of this duty on the part Of
our fellow citizens. So long as there 10
no such desertion we can readily overcome
any perils that may menace us, whether
from foreign syndicate, individual slienA
or other sources.
"If am correct in my views on this mat.
ter, see no reason why any patriotic
American citizen need feel any spprehen-
sion for the perpetuity Of his beloved nation.
Therefore, speaking for myself, / cannot
possibly feel any great degree Of concern a.
to the stability OF the noble institutions
which this great prosperous and powerful
country is now in the enjoyment of. In .
careful and thoughtful perusal Of what I
have here written think that anyone may
find full and complete answer to all four
of the questions which you have propounded
to me, and which think are Of very great
importance TO every true-hesrted, thought
full American citizen.
Potter Agrees with Gibbons.
Rt Rev. q. G. Potter, Protestant Episco<
pal Bisnop of the See Of New York, agreed
with Cardinal Gibbons, the head of the
Catholic Church in this country, in thinking
that we are most in danger from an absence
of religion and a departure from Christian
principles on the part Of those in authority.
he saws: