The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-20
THE MASSES OR CLASSES?
An Address to the Democratic Peo-
pie Upon the Necessity Of
Organization.
The Coming Campaign Is Fraught
With Issues of the Great
est Importance.
Position of the Parties in the Contest
Convention of the National Associ-
alton of Clubs.

WASHINGTON, April 18.-The officers Of
he National Association of Democratic
clubs have issued the following address:
About to enter upon a campaign in which
the presidency and the house Of representa-
ti7es are Immediately at stake, and ulti-
metely the entire control Of the general
government, we arc directed by the execu-
tive committee OF tbs National Association
Of Democratic clubs to urge upon the demo-
cratic people of the union this necessity of
prompt, efficient and general organization
for the impending conflict.
1t the contest were one for the Offices
alone. or for the qualification of the per-
aonal ambition of individual leaders on
either aide, and il the administration to be
chosen, IN any event, might be expected
merely to glide through the official rou-
tine of government for the term of its
existence, with NO impairment of our free
institution, no assanls upon the reserved
rights OF the people, no seizure by taxation
OF their property, or profits to bs
turned over to favored ~clagses, and no re-
striotion OF their markets for the
benefit OF m~onopolies, it would be a matter
of small moment which party might sue
coed. Bat We know only too we'll that the
party IN power will not, and by the very
LAW OF Its existence, cannot. regard the
limitations of the constitutions: that il is
1rreslstlbly impelled by its doctrines and
traditions, from Hamilton to Quay, and by
the vast aggregation of private m~onopolies
which it embraces and combines. and nv
which it is sustained. to break through the
NON Fl n ac rf tho felarol l
side. This is not the place or the time to
develop in its Tremendous proportions. and
with its dreadful menaces, the federal
republican scheme of strone, splendid
rotten government, resting upon %cofruption
and force, and employing the power Of
taxation to enslave tho laboring masses. in
order to build up in luxury and wealth tho
ruling classes. All American history ar
hibits and attests it. But the most recent
experience of the people is more than
enough for illustration.
Congress may, under the constitution
tax the people to sustain their own govern
msnt. 1t has, however, just as much right
to take their lives, or to sell their children
into bondage. as it has to take a dollar
from them for any other purpose. But the
federallst party, purely to create monopo-
lies upon which it may rely for political
support. and to further enrich its wealthy
favorites, boldly assumes the ungranted
and forbidden power to Ia" taxes, with no
view whatever to public revenue, but with a
sole and avowed view to transfer untold
millions of money annually from the
pockets Of the many, who have earned it,
to ths Golfers Of tho few who are licensed to
sieze it in virtue of their unconstitutional
m~onopolies. II this can be done, there ia
az end of liberty; our fede raj government
u utterly perverted; it is not merely a fraud,
but a despotism; and there is nothing left
worth . struggle. The power 80 take and