Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-29
The Leaven Of Republican Paternalis'

The Leayen OF Republican Paternalism
TO the Editor Of the Dtpatch;
To the baleful influence OF the teachings
of the Republican party can be traced all
the Ills that afilict the politics OF TINS
country. Populism is the e8tmate oh-
spring of paternalIsm. and the habits OF
thought due to familiarity with paternai
practices unconsciously dull the percep-
tions and bias the minds OF men into the
acceptance OF doctrines which they would
not for moment entertain IN
their abstract nakedness. Before the he-
publican party had debauched the con-
science of the country by long-con-
tinued and persistent policy OF interfer-
enca by the government with all the
affairs of individual life and private busi-
ness. no man would have been heard TO
advocate the dangerous. doctrines ana
revolutionary schemes which honest. in
telligent. and patriotic men now do not
hesitate TO approve and support. DO
subtle is the poison Of these pernicious
teachings. and so thoroughly has IL peen
diffused. that everybody has gotten mo
the habit OF looking 10 government LOT
everything, and attributing everything 10
government.
We seem TO have forgotten that under
our system OF free institutions, the very
Genius and spirit OF which Is absolute
liberty to the people TO cohouct their
private affairs without let or hindrance
or interference by any man or set OF
men. the government has no right or
authority TO 20 into any sort OF business
whatever. either by way OF going INTO
partnership with one man, or set OF men,
against other men, under the speclouS
guise of protection. or taking cohtroi Oh
the railroads or telegraph-lines or IN
banking. when we see men or the hiSnest
intelligence bred in the school OF strict
construction, utterly unmindful OF the
perils of such step, solemnly declaring
i'm favor OF absolute control by the Cen
eral Government Of all the banking OIL
the country.
Nov no intelligent man will for mo-
ment contend that the business or bank
ing Is in any essential respect different
from any other business which may be
carried on and conducted by any man or
set of men, and If the government can
90 into that business and conduct and
carry IL on. there can be no reason why
It cannot go into the business OF mer-
chandising, or running or railroaus
and telegraph lines. Then ought any
body to be surprised when we
have seen such men advocating
policy which logically leads to the same
results that the ignorant farmer In times
of low prices, depression. and want should
look in the same direction for relief, and
demand when their government goes
into the banking business 1t should lena
him all the money ne wants.
and should run the railroads ana
telegraphs. and, In fact, take general
charge of him and everything else In a
proper, fatherly way? So 1t has gone, lit
tie by little, from one thing to another,
that the Internal leaven OF Republican
paternalism has well nigh leavened the
whole loaf, and II we do not return TO
the true doctrines taught by the fathers.
whose wisdom in the construction or
our government seems TO have been In
spired. the beautiful fabric or free insu-
tutions will, before We know 1t, be con-
yerted into n monstrous oligarchy. having
no semblance to Its original shape j.