The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1891-08-12
The People are Getting Thelr Ewes opel

eSPuOiiCah pOhtiCiduS lu-
dulge in n derisive smile when told
that the Campaign of education" is
in full progress.
They know well enough that the
present high tariff is an unnecessary
burden, but are hopeful that the
masses will not find it out until some
time after the next Presidential
election. In other words they take
the masses for asses.
But they admit if the people do
find it out, this party of protection,
falsely so called, will require the
services of an embalmer in the late
autumn of 90.
The common people may be little
dull of comprehension on some sub
jects, but extortionate prices never
fail to set them thinking. The al
mighty dollar rouses dormant fac
ulties. As the pinch grows more
severe, they become surprised, then
indignant, then profance, and if they
go to the polls in that state of mind
nothing but the intervention of Prov
idence can save the Republicans
from utter defeat.
The difficulty with that party is
that it has obstinately Disseminated
against the many in favor of the
few. When the few consolidate
themselves into monopolies and
trusts and the many stagger on the
edge of starvation, Mr.. Mckinley
declares that the country is pros.
porous.
A rock rolled from the higher
story of house to the lower, strikes
each stair in succession and perhaps
takes off an insignificantsplinter, but
when it reaches the bottom it rests
there with it's whole uncomfortable
weight. In like manner heavy
tax on the necessaries of life hits
the highest classes lightly, and they
scarcely feel the extra charge, for
they have plenty to spare, but it
bears with it's full force on those
who even in the best of times find
it hard to keep the larder well
stored.
The glory of such a government
as this is that it protects its work
ing classes, who constitute "the
greatest number" That is the
radiant characteristic of republic,
its rGisOn d'etre. If it fails to do
that it neglects it's chief function,
for failure to legislate for the masses
is equivalent to the creation of an
aristocracy, and aristocracy under
a popular government is not only
an anomaly but an omen of impend-
ing disaster. And the party, by
whatever name it may be called,
which adopts policy that produces
these results is essentially un- Ameri-
can and opposed to the spirit of our
national institutions.
1t is not strange, therefore, that
the increasing discomfort among the
wage earners, on the farm and in
the shop, gives rise to sundry mis-
givihgs.
Is it the square thing to show
such commercial favoritism that "a
few hundreds can reap colossal for
tunes while the millions find it diff
cult TO get bread?
That this condition of things ex-
lists is not to be doubted by any i'm
partial observer. The farmers
throughout the country are in an
extremely disgruntled state of mind.
They are the hardest working class
of people in the community, and
yet they find it impossible to lay up
penny. They are not given to
loose habits, are not in the least ex-
travagant, and demand nothing but
fair opportunity to make a living
If they were revolutionists, extreme
socialists, constitutionally discon,
tented, that would be another
thing. But they are not. On the
contrary, they are temperate, con,
sentative, loyal and industrious.
Take for example, the farmers o.
Ohio. You can't find a harde,
headed set of men on the planet o,
men with more common sense
They were promised by Mr.. Me
Kinley, who is their neighbor thai
his tariff hill ,rn,,Id ,,.otoa.