The Progress., 1893-10-28

NNN, I, II OF nation snail rise against ma
tion and kingdom against kingdom"
The history of the past centuries has
given us the fulfillment of the first claus,
of this prophecy of Christ. We have had
the era of national wars. We enter now
the era of the clash of hostile forces with.
in tho nations and the beginning of the
era Of world organism of society. II
is now the kingdom of money against
the kingdom Of the common people.
The masses are restless.
The classes are blind
The hour is ripe for action.
The issues involved are tremendous.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
What are these issuesy
Tho stake involved for the conservative
forces of society certainly includes:
First-The present economic order.
Let the men of wealth and privilege un-
dcrstand it clearly. There can be no
mistaking the meaning of this move
ment of the worlds masses. The object
of attack is the foundation of the present
scheme of competitive society.
The conviction has grown so strong
that it has become principle of action
that the present order of society is re-
sponsible for the unequal distribution of
wealth, the extremes of poverty and lux
ury. the opportunities for injustice and
oppression, the creation of gigantic mo-
nopolies and the consequent impoverish-
ment of the millions. They-the people
believe that If things remain as they
are within 80 years there will be billion
aires in America. Right or wrong, they
believe that millionairism is unjust, and
that billionaire would be crime against
humanity.
Mr.. Thomas G. Shearman in his ia
nous article in The Forum shows that
in America three-tenths of per cent of
the population control 20 per cent of the
property. In other words, in the distri-
button of national wealth one man in
300 receives $40 out of every $l00, and
200 men receive $50, which if averaged
would give them about 10 cents each.
The wealth of CrRsus was $1,000, 900.
This is less than the annual income of
more than one American millionaire.
Mr.. Shearman says: Several nonspecu-
lative estates have increased ivefold i'm
less than 40 years. Counting only 4 per
cent increase, the present fortune of
$500, 600, 600 will become $1,000, 900 900
in less than 40 years."
Therc is no way to prevent this save
by the radical destruction of the present
basis of property as protected by the
state. Let men who believe in the jus
tice OF tho present system of compe
tition and inheritance see to it. The
movement of the masses threatens the
laws of both accumulation and inherit
ance. The under masses have grown to
see that enormous fortunes that involve
the lives of countless millions are mat
ters dependent on the accident of birth,
not on achievement. This has been so
for ages. But the people who toll be-
meath the burden are only now awaking
TO the fact. And they mean to make
such estates impossible and such titles
invalid. Let those who believe in il un-
derstand what is involved.
Second-The established traditions Of
social caste are at stake. This low and
vulgar rabble, called the common peo-
pie. are bent on the destruction of arti-
fetal distinctions among men. Let those
who cling to these distinctions see to it
Their existence is threatened.
I INCONSISTENCY OF LEADERS
The men who lead this crusade against
pride and luxury and extravaganza and
sham and pretense are not themselves
free from the errors they would cure in
others. Their cry Is 'Democracyr' But
they are autocrats among their fellows.
They insist upon the leveling of social
orders and yet insist upon wearing a
crown for themselves. This, however, is
not to the point. The question is, after
all. simply. Are they right in their con-
tention? Consistency is the ghost of
weak minds. IL they are right and sue
ceed in setting up real human brother
hood, their own inconsistent claims and
pretensions will be swallowed up in the
food.
J read the other day that certain
Countess -, who is an American by
birth and delegate to the Columbian
exposition from foreign country, ap-
Piled for a complimentary card of ad-
mission not long ago. The official to
whom she spoke of the matter explained
to her that it would be impossible for
him 20 issue such card, because If il
were lost he had no way of tracing it.
: "A Photographic pass is much better"
he said, las it can be readily traced.
Such passes, he added, "are used by all
members of the board of lady man
ayers.
The countess objected 20 having her
picture taken for Photographic pass on
the ground that she was titled person
aye. and II would not be in conformity
with etiquette.
WELL" replied the official, by way OF
persuasion, 'iny mother is member of
the board of lady managers, and when
she comes to Chicago next week she will