Rock Island daily Argus., 1892-09-21

| inpoverishment of rural sections and dis
content with Agricultural pursuits. We
discover that the fortunes realized bv ouI
manufacturers arc no longer solely the
results of sturdy industry and enlight'
ened foresight. but that they result from
| the discriminating favor OF the govern
ment and are largely built upon UNIQUE
exactions from the masses Of our people.
The gulf between employer and employe
is constantly widening. and classes are
rapidly forming, one comprising the very
rich and powerful, while in another are
found the toiling poor. As we view the
achievements of aggregated capital. we
discover the existence of trusts. com ol"
nations and monopolies, while the
citizen is struggling far in the rear or is
trampled beneath an iron heel. Corpor-
ations, which should be carefully re-
strained creatures of the law. are fast be
coming the peoples masters.
The existing situation Is injurious to the
health of our entire body polite. II
stiles in those for whose benefit it is per-
mitted ali patriotic love of couptry, and
substitutes in its place selfish greed and
grssping svsrice. Devotion TO American
citizenship for its own sake and for
what it should accomplish as motive to
our nations advancement and the happl-
ness of all our people is displaced by the
assumption that the government, instead
of being the EN- bodiment OF equality, is
bu, al instrumentality through which es-
pecisl and individual advantages are to be
gained. The arrogance of this assump-
ton is unconcealed. 1t appears in the
sordid disregard OF all but personal inter-
ests, IN the refusal to abste for the bene>
d Of others one iota of selfish advantage.
and in combinations to perpetuate such
advantages through efforts to control
legislation and to Influence improperly
the suffrsges of the people.
Communism is hateful thing and
menace to peace and organized govern
ment. But the communism OF combined
wealth and capital. the outgrowth of
overweening cupiditY and selhshness.
which insidiously undermines the justice
and the integrity of free institutions.
not less dangerous than the COM
munism of oppressed poverty and
toll which, exasperated by injus-
tice and discomfort, attacks with wild
disorder the citadel Of rule. He mocks
the people who proposes that the govern
ment shall protect the rich and that they
in turn will care for the lsboring poor
Any Intermediary between the people and
their government, or at least delegation
of the care and protection the govern
ment owes to the humblest citizen, makes
the boast Of free institutions glittering
delusion and the pretended boom of
American citizenship shameless impo-
sition."
Since Mr. Cleveland wrote this the plu-
tocrscy has dictated a great increase in
taxes and at the expenses Of government.
1t has insugursted policy OF paying
out millions annually in subsidies and
bounties direct from The treasury. 1t has
forced the agricultural states deeper and
deeper into debt. II has asserted q right
to employ mercenaries for use in private
wars against labor. 1t has demanded
complete con troll of elections through a
Force bill providing for returning boards
and supervisors to take the places OF
judges and officers chosen by the people.
And after all this and more it comes once
more before the people asserting its right
to control them and to subject their in
herent manhood rights to its assumptions
of money privilege. And on this issue
of popular government Grover Cleveland
is once more at the front Of the demo-
cratic party. challenging the judgement
Of every enlightened American on the JUS
tice Of its cause.