The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1894-06-02
P0PULLSM.

The complaint of Populists that the
government of the United States is
very corrupt, and that corporations
and plutocracy ere undermining the
fabric of free institutions have ten
dency to incite the worst elements of
society to acts of righteousness.
Harangues of this nature are similar
to throwing fire among combustibles,
and the results cannot be otherwise
than disastrous One effect upon the
discontented classes has already been
seen in the onward march of Coxey's
army towards Washington city, which
would not have been undertaken with
out the sober judgment Of the leaders
had been subverted by wild theories
ano fanatical notions. But this is
Just the beginning of evils of a much
more serious nature. So far, these
men have committed no depreciation
upon property, except stealing railroad
trains, which is very reprehensible.
But the next movement will not be
peaceable one, and without these
speeches are stopped it may be expected
that the torch of the incendiary will
be used for the destruction of corpor-
ate property, and that the deadly
bomb will be the next resort against
plutocrats. There has been sufficient
warning of the approaching danger
for precautionary measures to be used.
When the public mind is harrassed by
distress never before experienced, and
the laboring people are rendered des-
perate by want and starvation is not
the time to, talk of the oppression Of
corporations or corruption at the foun-
tain head Of government.
But this condition of affairs does
not exist, and the men who from every
platform in the country are bowling
their complaints are only doing it for
political purposes. The promised
change in the tariff laws has created
distrust among capitalists and manu-
facturers have made small purchases of
materials This has caused business
stagnation, financial depression, and
has thrown hundreds of thousands out
of employment. As soon as the
country is satisfied that the tariff laws
will not be disturbed, and the same,
economic policy will be pursued, trade
will resume its old prosperous condit-
ions and the wage-earners will find
work at remuneratlve prices. The
foundation of the government has not
been weakened in the least, and popu-
ular institutions stand on as substan-
tial basis as ever. There never was
q country of more than s5.000-
600 people in which public matters
have been administered more econo-
mically or honestly. With the ad-
vancement of the present age aggrega-
tion Of capital becomes necessary for
forward gigantic enterprises.
The great transcontinental lines of
the immense iron furnaces
and steel works could not be put in
successful operation without combina-
lion of wealth In the early days of
the republic there were no railroads
and few industries that required any
large expenditure of money. As
puntry developes corporations become
requisite factors for advancement and
and it is senseless to
arouse an antagonistic spirit against
hem.
Populism would change all existing
ystems of finance and economies, and
n their stead would attempt the most
ideas on these questions.
Nations have evolved plans on these
matters which have been demonstrated
o be safe and lasting, and it would be
'ery unwise to change these now for
he wild notions of political specula-
ion.
Next Monday Oregon will undoubt-
dly settle the question Of Populism at
he ballot box, and it will hereafter
Vither and die in this state. Its ex-
stence has not betokened any great
trength, and its death will result {
rom inherent weakness. This is q ,
onsummation devoutly to be wished,
or there have never been as unsafe
nd unsound theories of government {
8 those advocated by the third party.