The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-07-14

ABLY Discusses tho ELECTS.
That the rapidly accommodating
wealth of our country is centralizing
with unexampled rapidity, is fact
that no careful observer will pretend
to deny. While we increase wealth
at , fve-fold ratio, the accumulation
is with proportionate haste passing
into . few hands. The simple fact
that the ownership of the wealth 50
rapidly produced is centralizing into
q few hands is so we'll known and so
fully realized by all, as to need no
proof
s We will, therefore, in this paper base
our farther discussion of the subject
upon the above as fact; and assume
the truth of the proposition without
farther argument. .
We propose now more fully to dis
cuss. first the effect of Capitalization;
and secondly the remedy.
First then, it is we'll known axiom
that wealth is power" Inherent
In the conceded right of private owner
ship, is the power to control That
which one owns he has a right to con-
troll. Centralize the ownership of the
recourses of production in a few
hands, the power to control production
is also vested in the same hands. AS
ownership passes into the hands of q
few. so power is exercised by few
over the many in proportion. An
oligarchy of wealth is an inev-
liable result All the history Of
past civilizations has been but one
chain of testimony to the truth of
the above proposition. The passing
scene Is one panoramic view of nations
rising from poverty and obscurity to
wealth and prosperity; then as owner
ship passed gradually into the hands
Of the few, the oligarchy of wealth
oppressed and degraded the masses, who
were speedily reduced to serfdom, or
exasperated to characterization and re-
bellion. No exception appears to
brighten the dark record of mans in
humanity to man The cruel power Of
avarice has enslaved and destroyed
nation after nation until the sad record
has made its impression upon many
minds, driving them to indulge in pes
simistic forebodings, and to declare
with sadness that it always has been
so, and always will be so. That wealth
is power and power will rule. That
the strong will ever control and OPP
press the weak. That the strong will
ever rule the eweak. Moreover, with
this power vested in few hands,
that few, being clothed with unwonted
power grow naughty and hardened in
heart. The enclosed masses grow
restless under the CALLING yoke. Dis
order prevails, strife and contention is
seen everywhere. Strikes and riots
break the peace and quiet of society,
anarchy and bloodshed often follow.
Prosperity is crippled and en-.
terprise is paralyzed. The clouds
of desolation gather thick and fast
Upon this surg,rg sea of contention
the true Christian looks with sorrow,
and inquiries for q remedy. The
philanthropist scans the horizon and
peers into the distance to see signs of
coming day. He asks, ''does the morn
ing dawn" Weary and sad the bur-
dened toiler cries whence will deliver
ance come? From the glad hills Of
celestial light reverberates the cry, do.
hverance will come.
Yes, eighteen hundred years ago the
worlds -edeemer appeared in Galilee.
1ncarnate in human life, he gave US
an example Of highest exaltation in
joyful service rendered to ali mankind;
Of greatest gain by being servant;
of supremest advantage secured by
lifting up the weak and rendering
helpful service to the others. This
Star of Bethlehem is rising with bright
effulgence and is shedding its beams
Ger all the earth
The right to own and traffic in
human beings remains as only blot
on the annals of the past As this
abomiuation of former days went out
in carnage and strife, humanity re-
ceived a mighty uplift, and is now
rapidly climbing the heights of social
and economic equality. From the life
and teachings of the Nazarene prophet
the nations are speedily learning the
right common ownership of all Gods
bounties of earth. From his teachings
the masses are beginning to see that
private ownership Of the recourse
Of earth,.s blessings is but wicked
usurpation and diabolical oppression.
Enlightened Christian civilization is
rapidly preparing to wrest from private
ownership the title to that which
gives control over the .bounteous pro-
ductions of earth. By corporate and
combine control the owners of wealth
ssek still further to enhance their
power to usurp and to extort. By or
Ranized wealth the owners seek to so
manipulate production and exchange
rs to be able to grasp all that avarico
desires. By the enabling power of
law trusts and combineswi . scepter
which controls legislation and defies