The state chronicle., 1893-06-24

Kansas and some adjoining States.
Recently when there was &C.
tual fighting between two political
parties for possession OF the cap
itol building in Kansas, thinking
people all over the country began
to realize what the propagation OF |
socialistic ideas here was tending
to and they are now fully alive to
it. They understand that there is
something more than "hard times,
and tight money market behind
the movement. While many would
never concede it as long rs they
could find any other source to
which they might credit it. the truth
is that the origin cf this socialistic
movement is to be found in the war
and the legislation and political
education of the people which fol-
lowed it, all of which has tended
towards an enlargement OF the
sphere of Federal jurisdiction, the
Capitalization of power at Wash
ington and the corresponding di-
minution of State and individual
rights. In a word paternalism.
I say this truth will not be admit
ted by many because it looks un-
comfortably like vindication OF
the principles advocated by South
ern statesmen from the foundation
of the Government.
But it is truth Notwithstanding,
and, pleasant or unpleasant, it
ought to be recognized and acted
upon, and must if the integrity Of
Our institutions is to be preserved.
In the West the leaders of the So
cialists, including many Church Of
En gland people who have formed a
branch of what is called The Chris
tian Social Union of England" ac-
cording to printed statements which
[ have seen, do not hesitate to de-
clare their belief in paternal gov
ernment. Among other declara-
tions made by some of them, as pub
lished, is that of a clergyman who
said: "Paternalism is the only re-
lief for the present terrible social
and moral conditions. This gov.
ernment will become paternalism
unless it goes to the devil first.
This is the thought of the educated
among them in the cities, and o1
course in the rural districts and
among the less educated the senti
ment, without the reasoning or
which it is based, is even more pro
nounced.
! Col. Waddell also mentioned Other
influences operating on the Wes
| to this end, and continued:
| Thus the people of the Wes
particularly, were diligently edu
Gated in the principles of paternal
ism, and it became a custom when
ever a locality was visited b,
calamity, to rush to the government
as an earthly providence for com
fort and relief. The idea that tn,
government was one of Limited
powers, and that it could not la W
fully transcend these limits as de
fined in the constitution, wa
secuted as an echo of secession ant
rebellion; and if the suggestion wa
made that the plethoric Golfers c
Treasury could not stand furthe
drain, the answer was that the gov
ernment made all the money it need
ed during the war, and ought t
make enough to satisfy the wants G
7 the people whenever necessary Thu
, the spectre of "fat" money which
in the agony of the war had bee
? evoked and served as O minister @
relief, reappeared to serve the lu,
f poses of socialism.
FL States caught the infection an
, sumptuary laws began to be er
= acted, which have at last culminate
, in the noble effort of the Minnesot
. legislature to abolish crinoline an
+ regulate the dress of Chinamel
9 Socialistic Legislation OF all kinds
j constantly being proposed in man
@ States Of the Union, and, in some
the cities and large industrial ce,
O tres, trades unions exercise de
q potic control over all branches
/. business.
q Socialistic ideas have cropped OF
- in the decisions of the courts, ar
l. even that great tribunal which
# the crowning glory of the constit
= ton, and the last refuge of 9
It dangered rights-the Supren
o. Court of the United States-has a
y: peared in several recent decisio
% to countenance them by it's We
,e liberal construction OF the poll
powers of the States, as Dist
Of guished from their taxing power.
8. In the history of socialism
le last element to be reached has
7e ways been the agriculturist ella
al and for reasons which need no ella
ve crate explanation.
es The owners and tillers Of the &
al in every land have been the cons
vators of good government, but
ns ! this country we have lived to see
be most the entire farming populati
ut Of the Western States, and lar
of proportion OF them in the Sou
ly under the misleadership of W
as theorists and ill-informed but fiue
er orators, driven into the advocacy