The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1893-08-31

and the subsequent evils that follows
in It's horrible train.
Others say that il i the busdel
placed upon us all bv the iniquitie
OF a war tariff. which has been increas
e / into Chinese wall for the sole ans
exclusive benefit OF those who contro
the manufacturing power, that il hat
become a veritable Old Man OF tn.
Sea upon the back Of the producer
pressing him down and down at ever,
effort he makes Ia relieve himself q
his burden.
Then, patriotism aad politics hay.
increased a pension list by extrayagan
legislation until no standing army ir
armed Europe costs 50 much. Thi.
character of LEGISLATION has indirectly
and insidlOus and dangerous because
indirect, drained from the pockets o
our people vast Niagara of none,
for which there is little or no return
On the other hand, the products of the
fields have year after year been sold al
less than the cost of production
And what is the result? The New
South which few years ago was fore
told by every one has not fulfilled the
promises OF its prophets The fact
that the great majority of our people
are in debt and we are helpless And
what is debt? Have YOU ever thought
on the subject? After making every
effort to meet obligations, one is like
the man caught by the sea with its
tide surely, slowly, mercilassly rising
to his death. Debt, It bows the
strong man like reed and breaks his
will like a straw. heard an eminent
lawyer once speak of this curse as a
spectre at the elbow, shadow at
your side that walks when YOU walk
and runs when YOU run, that follows
you to your home, that comes between
You and the wife of your bosom, and
drives the little children from your
knees. until at last hope leaves, and
then with this condition as compan-
ION the aimless struggle begins 1t
hampers genius, it curbs ambition. it
blights and wrecks promises and pros
poets You who are before me have
probably never been called upon to
face this enemy, because | should say
that when it is the result of economic
changes and disturbances. it com
mences with those who are nearest the
earth first and comes to YOU last. but
You have only to go through the
homes and belongings of those of
whom | speak to grant the truth Of
that to which l call YOU attention.
Again, there are others who say
that these changes have been caused
by the financial system OF the country
by 4 contraction Of a currency. which
so many profess to understand and ex-
plain. and do not To many holding
this position the remedy is easy. 1t
is only necessary to stamp the promise
OF the nation upon anything 10 make
1t money; or that the government
should lend It's currency upon the pro-
ducts OF fhe fields and the face of the
earth az pledges ]; or to coin the white
metal which is dug in such wonderful
quantities from tie n:ines of the West
and which is opposed so bitterly by
that class who already have nearly all
their strong boxes. In other words,
in these latter days it has become the
fashion to go to the State, the Govern
ment, for everything. like child to
its father. and ! am even told that
higher education asks and receives
large appropriations OF taxes wrung
from the pockets Of poverty, and that
in the face of the fact that the minds
of thousands Of children are starving 9
for the elementar, principles.
And the ignorant and deluded and
helpless are knocked hither and thith-
er like shuttle-cockS. hoping and be
lieyins that there is legislation III the
minds of their leaders which. if en-
acted. will bring 70 al peace and hap
piness and wealth and prosperity 50
the play goes on upon the credulity OF