The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-10-28
SCRUBS VERSUS ARISTO-
Gratis.

cratic aristocracy with rapidity that
should be appalling to freedom loving
patriots who wish to see our country
remain a republic in fact as we'll as in
name.
The rich man of town, county or
city has always been formidable factor
in the political, commercial and social
life of the community in which he
lived whenever he so desired to be.
This has been true from the earliest
history of the country and in all sec
tions of it. The man of wealth has
always welded larger measure OF
influence in our republic than was pos
sible in old world countries, where an
aristocratic caste by right of birth
existed as counterpoise. Here in
America the artificial distinctions Of
rank that obtain in monarch!cal nations
were altogether unknown, but as all
men were engaged in hot competitive
scramble after money and property, the
most successful in the contest were
held in high esteem, and naturally came
into large measure Of influence with
their fellows.
Thus the rich man came into honor
and power in the neighborhood in
which he lived, and these elements are
the essential ones of an aristocrat
without regard to where he lives. They
contain all the substance of authority
held by the chartered noble, and the
titular dignity of baron Or count could
add nothing unto them.
Reader-it does not matter where
you live-you know of this big, bust
ling rich man whom everybody looks
up to and holds in much awe. He
has got more money than any other
half dozen men in the township OF
county. In thickly settled section Of
Ohio or Illinois, he may be worth close
on to a million, in Kansas or South
Dakota 100000, but in both cases hi
neighbors have queer sort of pride il
him, and wondering gossip multiplie'
multiplies his fortune. This loca
Cresus becomes a big man of grea
influence without the slightest effort
for his poorer fellow citizens PRACTICAL,
thrust power upon him. His wish ant
word have immense weight in politics
society and church. The reason there
for is very manifest. He has TIT
resources wherewith to bless his neigh
bors with these things which they mos
desire-cash, property and pecuniary
advancement.
Forty or even twenty years ago
when natural opportunities. that seemed
unlimited still existed in the country
this local rich man was not menace tt
the we'll being Of his community, for ht
then acted for himself and indepen-
IDENTIFY of other rich men But to-day
it is far different.
The railways, spectators, syndicates
and trusts have pretty much fenced in
the land. The tide of emigration from
the old states to the new and undevel-
oped territories has practically ceased
and our era of national expansion is
definitely over. The poor man with
NO capital save his strong and willing
hands cannot now go west with the
reasonable expectation Of making a
competency for himself. While the
country shows many millions of men
who comfortably established themselves
under the fortunate conditions that
have obtained quarter of century
ago, We have grown other millions
sin re that time who look anxiously for
the same chances of prosperous fortune,
chances which now no longer exist.
During the epoch OF development,
when wild lands were being extensively
settled, the rich men as a rule were
engaged in business affairs that were
personal to themselves. Combinations
OF capitalists into trusts and great cor
porations were then almost unknown,
whereas now they dominate the nation
70 day no man of wealth stands apart
from other rich men in his business
concerns. The capitalist of the present
time is essentially holder of stock in
mighty enterprises. He associates con
stantly with men of his own kind-al
of his financial interests are dependent
upon and inter.related with theirs.
The rich men of America have IN
distructible unity of interest. They
have become a distinct and most power
full caste. They in fact constitute I
veritable aristocracy whose interests al,
in diract antaoonism IN those of III,