West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1892-12-01
THE NATIONS BLIGHT
GROVER CLEVELAND ON THE CURSE
OF PLuTOCRAcY.

or PLuTOCRAcY.
Ne Mocks the People who Propose That
the Government Shall Protect the Rich
aud That They ia Turn Shall Caro- for
the Poor.
No more searching analysis Of existing
American conditions was ever made than
That made 10y Mr.. Cleveland i'm his clos
ing message-that Of December, 1888
without doubt the ablcst state paper in
American archives. "Plutocracy" in
America means the control of the gov
eminent; the enactment and the enforce
1nent of laws through the power Of
money. No intelligent American will
deny that such plutocracy exists, and
that the issue now to be determined is
between plutocrat and popular gov
eminent. Upon careful inspection"
writes Mr.. Cleveland in summarizing
the causes which have raised this issue.
1--WE find the wealth and luxury of our
cities mingled with poverty and wretch
edness and unremunerative toll A
crowded and constantly increasing
nrban population suggests the impover-
@N'Ai4ANAAN VI ihlbl otNl4OllS dilN QlhGOnLtll
with agricultural pursuits.
"Wo discover that the fortunes re-
allied by our manufacturers are no
longer solely the results of sturdy in.
dustry and enlightened foresight, but
that they result from the discriminating
favor of the government and are largely
built upon undue exactions from the
masses of our people. The gulf between
employer and employee is constantly
Widening aud classes are rapidly form
mS-one comprising the very rich and
powerful, while III another are found
the tolliug poor. As we view the
achievements of aggregated capital, we
discover the existence of trusts. com.
binatlons and monopolics, while the
citizen is struggling far in the rear on is
tramplod beneath an iron heel Cor
porations, which should be carefully
restrained creatures of the law, are fast
becoming 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 pat.
nitted all patriotic love Of country and
substitutes in its place selfish greed and
Srasping avarice. Devotion to Amcri.
can citizenship for its own sake and for
what 1t should accomplish as Il motive
TO our nations advancement and the
happiness Of all our people Is Displaced
by the assumption that the government.
Instead OF being the embodiment of
equality, IS but an instrumentality
through which especial and individual
advantages are to be gained. The ar
roSance CT this assumption is uncon-
cealed. 1t appears in the sordid disre-
gard of all but personal interests in the
refusal to abate for the benefit or others
one iota of selfish advantage and in
combinations to pelpetuato such advar-
tages through efforts TO control le,;sla-
ton and TO influence improperly the
suffrages of the people.
Communism is "A hateful thing and
menace To peace and organized govern.
ment. But the communism Of com
bined wealth and capital, the outgrowth
OF overweening cupidity aud selishness.
which insidiously undCrmines the JUS.
tice and the integrity Of free institu-
tions, IL not less dangerous than tle
communism Of oppressed poverty and
toll which, eXasperated by Injustice and
discomfort, attacks with wild disorder
the citadel of rule. He Knocks the peo-
PIE VINO proposes that the government
shall protect the rich and that they in
turn Will care for the labOring Door.
ANY intermediary between the people
and their government, or the least dele
CATION or the care and protection the
government owes to the humblest citi-
zen, makes the boast Of free institutions
glittering delusion ana the pretended
boon Of American citizenship a shame
less imposition"
Since Mr.. Cleveland wrote this the
plutocracy has dictated great increase
in taxes and in the expenses Of govern
ment. It has inaugurated policy If
paying out millions annually in suLsi.
dies and bOuuties direct from the Treas
ury. II has forced the Agricultural
states deeper and deeper into debt. I.
has asserted q right 60 employ merceua-
mes for use in private wars agairt II.
Dor. IL has demanded complete control
OF elections through force bill proyid.
ing Tor returning boards aud supervisors
10 take the places Of judges and officers
chosen by the people. And after all this
II comes once more before the people
asserting its right 10 control them and
70 subject their inherent manhood RIGHTS
70 ITS assumptions Of money privilege.
And on this issue Of popular govern
inent against riutocratic government
Grover Cleveland is one. more at tho
front Of tue Democratic party. chaIl-i,1-
ing the judgment Of every euIiglteU.d
American ou the Justice Of i.5 c.r.r..-
ST. Louis Republic.