The advocate., 1892-04-20

pose the enormous vacant land holdings Of
English and American lords and home and
foreign syndicates were 90 sharply taxed
that the greedy drones would be glad to sell
at any price. Suppose the acreage under
which God stored up coal and oil for the
common benefit of all his children were
taken by right of eminent domain and their
treasures brought forth for the impartial
blessing of all the people, and then suppose
il you can-that is, If your imagination is
able to bear the strain requlred-suppose all
these high and arrogant plutocrats descend
ing from their lofty estate, turning over all
their special privileges, pillsging franchises
and chartered sources of iniquitOus wealth,
and saying, "we sQuiesce humbly in the will
of the American people," When Alexander
of Russia and William of Germany volun-
tarily turn their empires into demOcracies
and quit the despot business to become
practical farmers, we may expect to see our
plutocrats surrender without stiking blow
because they are beaten at the polls BY q
majority composed Of "hsyseed" farmers
and sooty working men. The American
plutocrats care nothing for either the dem
ocratiC idea or republican institutions.
They want government that will protect
their special privileges.
The above quotation shows the motive
Of the favored classes for the building up
Of large military power which could be
used to protect them In their property
rights whenever the outraged people
turn in desperation and demand justice.
The following are some Of the facts
which support my theory: The enormous
appropriations asked of congress to In
crease the efficiency Of the army and
navy; the almost incessant war talk and
the pretense that the nation Is in peril
from some foreign foe; the establishing
and equipping of schools for military in
struction; the encouragement of state
militia; the introduction into the public
schools Of the cadet system, and the oc-
casional off guard utterances OF men who
believe in a 'strong, centralized govern
ment, backed by we'll equipped stand
ing army"
As write, there lies before me the
MOrAGng Post, containing an editorial
strongly approving the bill recently in
troduced by Congressman Cutting, for
the reorganization of the militia system.
This bill asks for an appropriation of
100000 annually for the gradual equip
ment of the force with the best arms and
accoutrements. The Post says:
A bill like this, if passed, would not only
constitute a permanent guarantee Of do
,mestic peace, but also strong and reliable
system Of national defense.
In heavens name how Is our domestic
peace threatened other than by the want,
and the woe, and the ldleness Of the peo-
Pile? And will the latest approved fire.
arms stop hunger or furnish work. In
the name of Him whose birth was her
aided by the song Of "Pesce on Earth"
why do we deliberately ask for 100000
a year, in addition to other millions, to
train portion of our fellow countrymen
to shoot their neighborS in order to in
sure domestic peace? Domestic peace
will take care of itself if people can get
and keep themselves in happy homes
And not only will we have peace and
prosperity for all, but We shall have
brave men by the millions ready at an
hours call II a foreign foe lnvades. Our
last awful victory was won by volunteers,