The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1892-11-04
Don't Go Too Far.

II our mOnOpOlleS would only con-
suit their own interests they would be
eager to meet the people at least half
way. Their stubbornness in holding out
against the popular will and demand
argues an incomprehensible ignorance
of the American character. If any,
thing is well established it is the fact
the people of this country can always
be quieted. however great their ex-
element by comparatively small con-
cessions unless they have arrived at
point where forbearance absolutely
ceases to be q virtue. But our mon
opolies act as if they were masters Of
the people and owners of the country.
They make no concessions whatever.
Every move they do make is in the
direction of strengthening their posi-
ton and of further usurpatiou.
Wrongs that are so bold and burden
some that no living being can harbor
doubt of their character are openly
upheld and practiced by these COM
blnations against remonst, anco
against the dictates of honor and
humanity and against the laws of the
state. There must be an end to this.
1t is utterly idle to think that this
state of affairs, if continued. will not
result in an unfortunate conflict. In.
justice cannot perpetuate itself in this
country like this The spirit of equal
rights may be sleeping but is not
dead. It will awake to life. as the
volcano awakes to action. In
monarchies tyranny and wrong may
sway the scepter for years and for
generations. for there is not among
the people the untrammeled freedom
of thought and action that there
is in a republic. Men who
have been born and bred undeY
tyranny. do not know their powor.
They are like the horse which has
never been free enough to learn that
he is really the master of the drivers
life. But in a republic every being
from the cradle to the grave is a
king, or thinks himself one. He is
taught from the beginning that no
other human being in the world is
any better than he or has any greater
privileges. And this cultivated spirit
of freedom is absolutely dangerous to
the peace of society if opposed beyond
a certain limit Chicago Express.
Direct Legislation.
Direct legislation is but means to
an end-an end to act as cause to
later effects. That end is the placing
of the sovereignty with the people
the citizenship. Without direct leg.
islation, oficeholders rule; with it
the majority rules. The first obvious
betterment to come. then. with ma
jority rule. will undoubtedly be the
reform of numerous and dire abuses
incident to party and machine dicta-
ton and to plutocratic ascendency.
The bulk of the citizenship Is inter-
ested in this betterment and hence il
will soon arrive. But greater effect
will before long be obvious It will
be the responsibility of every voter
on each separate public question.
The conscience to be addressed in law
making will not then be vicarious, re-
mote or difficult of ascertainment, as in
representative government It will
be the conscience Of every voter.
With each ballot ho deposits in direct
legislation. the citizen will himself
decree right or wrong. He himself
will be the moral agent Sensible OF
the gravity Of his act how will the
average man then acquit himsolfp
Far better the reply must be. than he
possibly can now in public affairs.
He will too DO influenced for good
by a host of men who are now in
different to politics: men who usually
do not vote at all or who vote merely
to stop what evil they thereby can.
And as the field for tho sordid
politician gradually disappears, the
high minded natural leader of mon
Jetierson's nristrocracy Of virtue
and talent-will rise to enlighten.
elevate and inspire their fellowma,,.
Twentieth Century.