The Indianapolis journal., 1892-12-26
QUESTIONS OF THE TINE.
Emil WiIlbrandt Discusses Issues Prensented
by Judge Baldwin and Mr.. Stechhan.

The majority of the editorials appear
ing in the Indianapolis Journal CHAR
acterize the writer to be man
of principle. of liberal and broad
gauge ideas. and to be q leader In the
so many of our thinking men. who prefer
to judge phenomena of to-day In the light
of their reason rather than the gloom of
old traditions and superstitIons. The ideas
are invariably advanced in sucn q way
that they leave room for thought and
stimulate investigation. That the edi.
torial on the speech of Judge Bald win be-
fore the Progress Club was no exception to
the rule is evinced by the fact of
the general comment 1t has caused
and the replies it has evoked. one
of which. appearing this morning. and
from u prominent business man. has
determined me TO write you of my hearty
appreciation of your efforts and to reply to
several OF his statements.
His ideas are such as we have heard in
cessantiy. but in variety of forms. from
the leaders Of the SOcialistic societies and
the Populite parties. In beginning he
touches on the social question. has q word
or two to say on political economy. then on
politics. aud ends by advocating govern.
mental control OF the railroads, the tele-
graph and ali natural monopolies, the
bringing about of which the aim of all
Socialists. as the first step of declaring all
men equal and an equal division of all ex-
listing wealth. We havc In our country to.
day men of foreign birth. or at least of
foreign ideas. who have left their countries
in order to obtain greater liberty and the
advantages of our liberal government and
institutions. who. sooner bad they set
foot on our shores and looked around
them, than they Immediately thought the
government could be greatly improved If
managed according 20 their ideas of the
fitness OF things. with their minds all
warped from tho monarchlsric training they
had received, and who would at once ad.
vocate che paternal system of government
in vogue In Germany and Russia and at
once abuse the liberty granted them here
by infringing on the rights of their neigh
bors. The educated foreigner becomes the
leader. and the unthinkiDg laboror, al
though earning two and three times what
he did In his native land. easily becomes
bis follower OF the demasogue Of pol
ltics. the man who cannot win q place in
the foremost party or parties and who re-
sorts TO making this class OF speeches to
win votes. or 20 keep his fences in repair,
the least we can say is best.
Mr.. Otto ctechhan, IN his article adv0cat.
ing the facts ~ which Judge Baldwin ar
rived a from his statistics, bcgins by La
mentlng the fact that We have to certain
extent a distinction of classes IN our pop.
ulation, and gives the causes Of
this distinction as being differ.
habits. education and breeding.
He need only to have mentioned the last
associations, speech and hs bits arc always
consistent with them. His attire often
depends the condition of his pocket.
book. which. In turn. depends moro on his
education than anything else. IL Is true
that we have a very small percentage of
population who ape foreign custOme TO the
extent that PERSONS value and aceepta-
bility depend entirely on the ancestors of
which ho can boast But what right. or
even what desire, has the man who works
for his living. the iaboring man. the active
business man, to be admitted into their sx-
elusive cSrcles? Should he not rather be
glad that they form distinct societies so
their own enjoyments. and not obtrude
themselves on him and his businessf
What desire has the laboring man who Is
content in the evening TO read the nows OF
the day at his own iiroslde with his wife
and children. to attend Delsartc lectures.
or his wife 80 attend dress-reforIn lectures,
or what desire has the representative
American working man TO attend meeting rs
and listen to haranEues against capital by
wlld-eyed ana lODg-halred foreigners and
political denarogues. and then adjourn TO
the nearest saloon to spend Is much as they
have earned that dayY There - as much
ciass distinction between tho working man
with home of his own or partly paid for
In building and loan association. and the
other working who greatly agi-
tatcd by the incrcase of capital and the
prevailing high price Of beer. as there is be-
tween a mem Der of tho four hundred and an
! active business man. And there should he.
Ii is all q matter OF education and in
duetry.
That the foreigner who has probably
been financially assisted that he may come
to America, aud who expects TO pick up
dollars in the street. will envy his more
prosperous employers and neIghb bors 10
undoubtedly true. but he Is now In n land
| where. II be has the same intelli sence and
| Industry. he can acquire the same voaltb.
He should glory IN tho fact that he 10 liy-
ing IN q country where his character. repu-
| tation and possessions are only limited by
his ability.
| 1t was with great amusement that read.
| earlv IN Mr. Stechhan's article. of the great
injustice done the poor man by the
| laws and lawyers of this conn
| try, and then. at the close. his
advocacy of governmental control
| of our industries. which would very much
more place them under the Jurisdiction OF
the very laws he opposes The laws are
often abused. and perhaps wealthy cor
! poration as often deprivcs poor man OF
his dues. by wearing him out. the poor
man. through jury Of HE peers. gets .
large recvnpense from the corporation for