The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1894-08-30

single Napoleon in Chicago, and 1,000,-
600 mortgages be made, necessary in
side of a month. Ten millions of money
may be made, out of nothing nominally,
although every dime of it out of the
pockets of the people. This reckless,
unguarded state of business affairs
reaches over to and corrupts legislation.
Congress votes $1Oo,ooo,0Oo Of money by
single act, and there is good reason to
believe that many of our Congressman
really do not comprehend that they are
disorganizing trade and disturbing COM
merce by such measures, as we'll as rob-
bing taxpayers to create paupers.
But there is far deeper ruin in store.
While the producing element of popula-
tion is quietly at work on our farms, all
this financial uncertainty and instability
is operative in the circles of trade. 1t is
apparently true that the trouble is only
with our exchanges and traffic, our wheat
in bulk, our railroad stocks and our
mines. But the farmer is infected with
the disease. When he comes to the
front at last he comes not as an advocate
Of freedom, but as, above all men, eager
for further speculative ventures. There
have of late been no such arrant distur-
bers of lndividualism and freedom as
some statesman who have come to
the front as reformers They have not
entered the field to create stability and
security. They desire to rush to the
other extreme of State supremacy But
State supremacy means no more nor less
than an increase of legislation. Now,
there is no evil in America worse than in
stability. The state means the will or
judgement of a band of men freshly
elected (not educated, but elected) to
make and unmake laws. The less Of
this the better. No tyrant can be worse
than an ever shrifting majority.
These are the three evils that we have
now to deal with in popular government
and American society, and the three are
alike in being practical lawlessness; O
lawless corporations ready for selfish ends
to disrupt business; ~ organizations
that are bound to engage in huge strikes
that ruin millions for every private or
local provocation; C) an upgrowth of am
ateur politicians whose crusade is Coxeism.
Surely the immediate prospect is not en-
couraging. Is it not about time that we
discovered the necessity of civic educa-
tion IN a land where every man is ruler?
W. educate specifically for everything
else but law making. We go to our Cap
1tols to make laws before we have stud
led the fundamental principles of politi-
cal alseconomy. Our legislators are largely
ignorant of American history. When we
undertake to rectify our ills or avoid dis
aster we are unprepared for rational
discussion or comprehension of their nat
ure. Our best-educated and best-quali-
fed mon are not allowed to sit in the
seats of lawmakers. But it is more i'm
portant that the primary legislator, the
voter, be intelligently qualified to under
stand self-government.
1t is not my purpose to enter into any
thing like discussion of these phases Of
social danger I have enumerated. A
word to the wise is sufficient. But this
is clear, that the majority of the Ameri-
can people see no cure except in organic
alton and counter organization. They
believe that capitalistic encroachments
must be met by labor leagues. That is,
society is to be saved by setting two
enormous forces humping each other.
That would be like preventing train
from running by setting another train to
meet it. This is the plan: Two engines
are butting each other in the coal fields,
in the iron mines, in the various fields of
production.
At the recent meeting for federation
OF labor leagues of the continent one
voice of sanity was heard; it was this:
"Capital and labor are brothers. They
should cooperate in friendly union.
They are not natural enemies. Hate and
antogonism is not their natural relation.
We must seek fraternity, not separation;
love not defiance. Neither can thrive
alone. Honor and mutual helpfulness
is the coming salvation for which we
must work. The strike is weapon not
to be aourished with braggard pride.
1t is sword with two edges, and has
done the toiler more damage than en-
ployer. In each others thrift we thrive. |
In all mems misery wesuffer." Sanity
is doubly welcome while we are suffering
from flood of insanity.
PHILLIPS BAYARD.
DEATH ON WILLOW CREEK.