The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1893-10-26

and work, liberty, individualism, toll
erable human existence and Justice in
the distribution of the worlds economic
goods. The text chosen was from Matthew
xiv, 2, "For nation shall rise against ma
tion and kingdom against kingdom"
The history of the past centuries has
given us the fulfllment of the first clause
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 the nations and the beginning of the
era of a world organism of society. 1t
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 issues?
The stake involved for the conservative
forces of society certainly includes:
First-The present economic order.
Let the men Of wealth and privilege un-
derstand it clearly. There can be no
mistaking the meaning of this move
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 30 years there will be billion
aires in America. Right or wrong, they
believe that millionairism is unjust, and
that a billionaire would be crime against
humanity.
Mr.. Thomas G.. Shearman in his fa-
nous article in The Forum shows that
in America three-tenths of per cent of
the population control 70 per cent of the
property. In other words, in the distri-
button of national wealth one man in
800 receives $40 out of every 800, and
200 men receive $50, which if averaged
would give them about 10 cents each.
The wealth of Croesus was $4,000, 900.
This is less than the annual income of
more than one American millionaire.
Mr.. Shearman says: Several nonspecu-
lative estates have increased fivefold in
less than 40 years. Counting only per
cent increase, the present fortune of
$500, ,000,0 900 will become $1,000, 100000
in less than 40 years."
There 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 the 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 it un-
derstand what is involved.
Second-The established traditions OF
social caste are at stake. This low and
| vulgar rabble, called the common peo-
Pile, 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.
| 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 "Democracyp But
they are autocrats among their fellows
They insist upon the leveling Of social
orders and yet insist upon wearing 8
crown for themselves. This, however, /:
not to the point. The question is, after
all, simply, Are they right in their con
tention? Consistency is the ghost oi
weak minds. If they are right and sue
ceed in setting up real human brother
hood, their own inconsistent claims anG
pretensions will be swallowed up in the
Hood.
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 Il
whom she spoke of the matter explained
TO her that it would be impossible fol
him to issue such card, because If i
were lost he had no way of tracing it.
| "Aphotographic pass is much better,
he said, cas- it can be readily traced
Such passes" he added, "are used by al
members of the board of lady man
ayers"
The countess objected to having he
| picture taken for Photographic pass On
the ground that she was titled person
age, and it would not be in conformit.
with etiquette.
| swell" replied the official, by wey o
persuasion, 'tny mother Is member o
the board Of lady managers, and whel
she comes TO Chicago next week she will
have her picture taken just like tn
other members"
"But, you see," said the Lady, ~ am
countess"
eyes, know" retorted the official
"and my mother Is queen"
The countess stamped her foot, an
without another word turned and lef
the Office,
Let the counts, and the dukes, and tn
princes, and thekings, and their lackeyi
and their apes in the republics, and tn
barons and princes of the social econop
ic world look TO their privileges.