The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1892-07-23
FACTS US. FANCIEs.

made by Democratic papers tnat the
troubles at Homestead and in the
Cour d Alene, in an, article published
this week, we used language IN import
that labor and capital will always be
antagonistie--not that it should be,
and that the man of wealth usually
had the upper hand of the poor man
not that this is right or the way con-
ditions should be. In short, we stated
a few cold facts as briefly as possible.
Segregating this pessimistic sentence
from the article, the Eve'aing Telegram
of yesterday breaches homiletic
discourse, but to give point and force to
its sermon, it completely mistates our
position. We quote some of the para
graphs:
This is a weak surrender, pitiful plea to
let the wrong triumph while we 1--we, rather
than make any resistance or any fight tor
the right. It is tacit acknowledgment
that what the TN. advises and contents
itself with is might instead of right, the
power of greed instead OF equality and
liberty, vileness and corruption instead OF
innocence and virtue. 1t is fortunate that
this tone Is not generally adopted by the
press. Greater servilIty to the force of op-
preston could scarcely be found IN the
columns of paper published within sight
of the Kremlin or under the shadow OF the
Vatican. It is not this sort of talk, it is
not this abject spirit, that made this nation
free, or that will keep it so.
Because might does and will overcome
right. and because wealth rules with an
iron hand over the innocent and virtuous,
Is that any reason that we should not do
what we can to curb and check might in
its smotherlpg and strangling of right? that
we should not do what we can to aid in
nocence and virtue In their unequal struggle
with the money-deyil? Because wrong is
strong, shall we therefore say nothing, do
nothing, In defense or aid of right? Is there
then nothing In this world to fight for.
nothing to battle about, nothing to labor
for, nothing whatever to reform or correct?
Are we never to help the under dog III the
fight because we cannot pull him out and
put him on top?
The selfish, sluggish, sordid spirit ex-
hibited in the paragraph quoted from the
TN. is very prevalent, but it is not fire.
quently SO openly and shamelessly mani.
tested.
It must be remembered that we
said, "asntiL the world grows much
better end wiser" ETC., that this state
of affairs would exist, and our highly
esteemed contemporary, when it says,
"because might does and soiU over
come right, and because wealth rules
with an iron hand over the innocent
and virtuous," ETC.. simply verifies and
establishes our position.
When the Telegram SAYS by stat
ing facts as they exist-which it ac-
knowledges to be true - that we
weakly surrender" it simply states
something which it knows not to be
.true. 1t is well-known fact that the
TIMEs-MoUNT1NEER has pursued a
consistent course to change these con-
ditions, and has never advocated
policy in it's editorial columns that it
did not conscientiously and earnestly
endorse. Can the Telegram, as the
Democratic tail of q large Republican
kite, say as much? We have, in the
most unqualified terms, condemned the
efforts of the Democratic papers to lay
the blame of the recent strikes on the
Republican party, and to fortify our
stand have simply stated history re-
garding these matters. But to defend
their untenable position, papers, like
the Telegram, which are owned body
and soul by Democracy, retaliate by
saying we are 'ssel6sb, sluggish and
sordid."
There is an easy way to controvert
the stand we have taken. Prove, first,
that we are mistaken iE our statement
of the condition of human affairs, and
then show, in single instance, where
we have ever upheld might against
right, or capital as. opposed to labor.
But, for the honor of journalism, which
is supposed to be the lever that
moves the world, do not stoop to So
phistry or shystering.
We desire nothing from the Tele-
gram, or other Democratic exchanges
but fairness and honesty, and will not
permit our language to be distorted or
wrongly interpreted The Telegram
substantiates the facts, but In very
unfair and unjust manner misstates
our position, and for this we call it to
account.
Our great difficulty with the Ameri- |
can people is that they place too much
implicit reliance on visionary hopes and
conclusions. It is far better to calmly |
look truth in the face and ackno wledge |
conditions as they exist, and then
sternly apply the remedy. Money is
too powerful in every relation of life
in this free republic, and politics are
rotten to the core. In many instances
our boasted freedom is sham and
farce, and frequently there is as much
by ruling classes, and as
many inequalities in social relations
.s in the detestable monarchies of the
I'D world. Apply the remedy to
hese evils. First by worshipping
,old less; second, by purifying
politics, and allowing no man or party
lictate for whom you shall vote; and,
inal]y, by self-education, information
and independence, that no man who
reads the soil shall be your superior
This is the true American doctrine,