Los Angeles herald., 1892-06-26
LETTER BAG.
Ia Arlatocr.cx to Rulsa

remarks Dy eaylng tnat from tne hineir
can prince of many millions to the peas
ant OF even or perhaps better pedigree,
every one has heard or read Of the cole
brated "four hundred" OF the Atlantic
metropolis, but comparatively few Of
our iellow-citizens in the vast area OF
the United States fully comprehend the
meaning OF the phrase, or understand
it as it is intended to be surrounded by
q halo OF distinction as being embryonic
of our future aristocracy.
From the peasant, not up to the
prince, for princes are in accord with
their ruling king of legal fame, nearly,
say, 81, 900 900 are asking why 400 OF the
population of their glorious country
should be given such prominence in the
leading journals OF the day. Four hum
dred cut of 63,000,O00! Is this infini-
tesimal fraction of teeming humanity to
take precedence in this wondrous conti-
nent--a word in itself, self sustaining
world in all and everything except per-
haps few luxuries which the special
coterie OF curled darlings and appareled
pets of the -four hundred" deem and
claim as the necessaries of life?
If the immortal Washington who SO
successfully led the advance guard OF
liberty and laid the foundation of true
Democratic PRINCIPLES could see US to-
day as we are, would he not almost wish
he had withheld his sword-would he
not regret the uuspeak able suferings-
which his brave followers endured dur
ing that terrible struggle for the rights
of mankind? Are we drifting to the
customs and manners of Europe, whose
effete monarchies and degenerate aris-
tocracy we affect to despise, while we
vie with their press in their court news
and the movements of their royalties, in
the columns which we fill with the do
ings of our Four hundred? Can we not
recognize the ominous fact that as each
cycle is accomplished. the so-called aris-
tocracy-four hundred-of this marvel
GUS couetry is gazing in power, and is
steadily and stealthily placing its foot
on the neck of the Drawn and muscle OF
the land. The Republicans are today
expressing the toiling farmer (the main
stay of our existence) the skilled
mechanic, and the humble day-laborer,
by their legislation for the monopolists
the four hundred.
The Republican administration is the
prototype of the Conservative govern
ment of En- .land. What does the latter
uphold? First and last, the old-time
aristocracy-a power, if not founded. at
least supported in years long past by
hideous scenes OF oppression, pillage and
bloodshed. Next the moneyed aristOc-
racy, which is today running neck
and-neck race with the blue blood of the
tight little island. Does the august
body of Lords and Commons find time
10 - ska ok& ho fox
few-the arietocrats of lineage or dollars
titude of poor, starving outcasts-only
| islation is not for them? No.
Our Republican friends will not admit
that their nodus opersndi in any way
corresponds with this type of law-mak-
| ing. They are the friends of the poor
| They claim that their excessive tariff
bill has worked untold good to cur
country; it has kept out foreign compe-
tition with home industries. 1t
was to have raised the wage Of
the mechanic and as q corrollary en-
hance the emoluments of all the army
of wage workers. If it has benefited in
one particular instance in this direction
| we should like to know it, while we do
know as an actual fact that leading
manufacturer of the Republican fra
ternity, probably finding his European
expenses too heavy. recently reduced
the wages of all his employees. The
McKinley bill has been fully discussed,
but it should suggest itself to every
thinking man who is not blindly led
| by his party, that this piece Of aggressive
| legislation was directly in the interest
and for the immediate benefit of the
four hundred. who are manufacturers,
| merchants, shipowners, etc., ETC., Tor
the degenerate sons of such), or monop.
| olists, founders of trusts or eyndicatee.
all millioQaires, who look for monopo-
lies to increase or maintain their wealth,
gotten by strictly honest or other
methods.
Is there not so-called four hundred
growing up in nearly every town in tine
country? Are not large proportion of
these aristocrats, newly fedged with
auriferous .plumes, leaning towards the
party in power for what there is in It'll
Look at their impassive faces as they
ride by in their carriages. Where ie the
Jeffersonian simplicity and the modesty
of the grand Washington and the mar
tyred Lincoln?-men of history, on
whom the highest honor to fall to man
was placed by an enlightened people
We have lost this grand simplicity and
are being carried out on an irresistible
stream of millionairism. What change
from the vision of the father of oul
countryi
Is it not possible that unless change
comes before long the poor and down
trodden will at least attempt reform by
a forcible application of communistit
doctrines9 an attempt which would be
deplored by every right thinking citi-
zen, burt which might meet with meas
ure Of sympathy, even though it were
equelched in its incipiency by the iron
hand of the law. The remedy now liei
in our hands in the stirring events o.
next November. We predict that the
man who has been tried and not found
wanting, the man who for four year,
filed the highest office in the world
coursgeousiy carrying out his own views
Of right, will not only poll every vote o.
bis own party, but also those Of many
Of our antagonists, who will cry "Cleve-
land and no monied aristocracv o.
monopolists. M.
Talk for Old Soldier.