Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-04-20
COxEYIsM.

eubgouaucc VI tue kOfcinmCAe W
marching in closed ranks to Washing
ton. He courts resistance by fOrce,
hoping that out Of the application Of
that force there mayI come gain and
benefit TO him. He is today the
marching Coxeyite-tomOrrOw the
bread-rioter COxeyism and dIscOnteDt
are one. The man who breaches that
our government has for the past
thirty years been gigantic conspiracy
of the bankers and financers to en-
slave labor and impoverish the masses,
is preaching Coxey ism. He Is a Cox
eyite in theory. The Coxeyite is
political discomfort In action. Both de-
clare that seTfgOvernment by the peo-
pie is failure, that the perpetuity Of
our institutions cannot be preserved
under constitutional methods,
The discussion Of economic questions
alone can lead to peaceful solution Of
present distress aud restoration Of
property. Coming down the slow
graduation of years, from the high
pressure, extravagance and imitation
following the five years Of war In 1850
to 1856, there has been a gradual and
inevitable shrinkage and depression OF
wages and values. With our porte
open TO the world we have not been
able to Withstand the import of old
world competition and the assimila-
ton of millions of foreign immigrants.
England, Germany aud India clos
ing their mint to silver coinage has
depressed that metal and other Ameri-
can products. An administration hos
tile to silver, aud favOring increased
importations from those countries
under reduced tariffs, has played into
the hands of the gold-stahdard coun-
tries and enriched them at our ex-
pense. But these are economic pro-
positions and not to be settled by az
peal TO force. The condition is
due to a mistaken application OF
economic policies not suited
to our country, on the part Of our gov
ernment in dealing with these ques-
tions. II the Cleveland administration
holds mistaken views as to the great
questions of economic policy, II can
and must be corrected at the ballot box
but not by force, nor by declaring that
self-government of the people under
the constitution is a failure. POliti-
cal agitators have been tanning the
flames Of discomfort aud COxeyism for
their own political advancement. Their
labors have reached a point where they
are scared. The country is upon point
of bread.war. They have conjured
up hopeless and helpless class Of mis-
taken people, who are following dan
gerous leaders. Those leaders talk
discomfort and Coxeyism. The rank
and lille believe and will act. There ID
as great crisis upon our land as in 1850.
1t may be averted yet by wise
action. 1t may result In bloodshed.
Who will be respon-ible? Ii Is time
for men to lay aside political prejudicss
and seek to restore our country to safs
bJunds Of reason and constitutional
government. Coxeyism and the pro-
fessional agitation Of political discon'
tent are not solution. They are q
revolt against oppressive and unfayor'
able conditions, brought on by the ap-
plicatIon Of mistaken political aud
economic theories. The revolt must bs
suppressed or our country Is In danger
OF war aud blOodshed. The unreason.
Ing cry OF, "Let the government do
something for us. Let 1t employ Us Al d
feed US. is only TO create greater
Capitalization Of power and wealth in
the hands OF the few and the greater
degradation aud prostitution Of the
many. oaly aresCrt 10 simpler gOy-
eminent and sOunder principles can be
OF any avail.