The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-05-02
A GREAT LETTER
From Col. BlantOn Duncan, of Cali
fOrnia-The Republic Destroyed
1t Is an OiiEarchy of CaPitalisti


The condition of this country-its wide
spread poverty, and unemployment of fully
one-fourth its population-and the depres-
sion and stagnation in its agricultural ele-
ments, composing over one-half the people
must bring the thoughts Of all clear minds
to the conclusion, that the results flow from
some special cause, the direct factors Of
which are silver decentralization, proposed
change of tariff. etc.-but the creative in
fuence being the essential defects from per-
version of our own methods of govern
ment; and submission to the dominant, and
illegal control Of certain self-privileged
classes.
republic means the equality OF all its
citizens in the essentials of justice, right,
freedom, safety, liberty-not that everyone
should enjoy an equal amount of happiness.
property brains. But the converse Is
equally true. that there should be no pri-
lation should not concentrate the wealth
into the hands of few and so create in
ferior grades, the 20-40-60 millions, who are
forced to toll all their lives for bare sub
sistence, with no hope of lettering their
conditions, and subject all the time to just
such 'object lessons, as may be sent upon
them by the king-bee of the dominant
classes; with not even the protection and
care that we give to the beasts of our
field, to keep them at least full in stomach
devoid of the suffering which comes from
the pangs of hunger, cold, and inadequate
clothing and lodging.
A study Of our condition shows this po-
tent fact, that this is the only country in
the world in which certain grasping, pow
erful combinations have been made, by
which a few thousands of men under the
forms of law have seized the machinery Of
government and have created an olgarchy,
which rules and controls the 100000 of in
dividuals, who have been deluded into the
belief that the American Union is a real
republic; when. in no shape whatever-ex-
cept in the name-has it now the character
istics of republics. Welded and perverted
as the constitution and laws have been and
are, it cannot be wondered at that venality,
oppression, debaucLery, crime should SO uni
versally prevail in every state, and that it
is only a question of time, if the people
adroitly woven around them day by day.
that the rulers will become omnipotent, and
the millions will go down step by step in
degradation and poverty, bound fast in
steel manacles, until the purpose of the
oligarchy is realized, in the abject SUBJ
mission by and slavery of the millions
under the domination of a great standing
army, and a code of legislation which cam
not be broken or changed except by a des-
perate conflict in support of liberty, and
oceans of bloodshedding.
A single reflection as to the prevailing in
f1uence today, by Analysing the federal gov
eminent first, will show that the president,
speaker, six of the cabinet the heads of
bureaus. etc,
ARE ALL LAWYERS.
In the senate from Congressional Direc-
tory) shows:
ga lawyers
bankers.
10 merchants and manufacturers.
l doctor.
l farmer.
Of other vocations.
In the House:
245 lawyers.
Ia bankers.
editors.
doctors.
% farmers.
% of other vocations
There are numerous miIlionaires in con-
gress. There are many representatives Of
the banking interest, the great RAILWAYS
and other corporations and the monopo-
1ists-all placed there for the purpose of
cIo
preventing any action adverse to the in
terests of those who own and control the
United States today.
Ihere is nothing more emphatic than the
declaration Of Christ: "Wheresoever the
carcass is, there will the eagles
De gathered together" The law
yerS number over $1,000 Thew
take fees upon any side of any contro-
versy; and especially do they seek the sup
port of the great corporations, banks, rail-
roads, monopolies in every shape whose
interests are cared for in courts, in leglsla-
lures, in congress-everyWhere that the en-
ployer with heavy purse of gold indicates
is the proper field for earnest work
Another scriptural text tells the truth of
the present day in this country, as well as
1t conveys the elimination of the curse
from Christ contained therein
Two unto you also, We lawyers! for We
lade me with burdens grievous to be borne
and We yourselves touch not the burdens
with one of your fingers
Among the many millions who are ground
down today with burdens" is there any
where found one of this privileged class
suffering the pangs OF poverty, hunger and
distress? Except, perhaps, because of his
own vices?
The young men in every locality seek to
become lawyers as the easiest and earliest
method of obtaining influence power, posi-
ton and wealth. A few of this guild-not
over 1C00-are placed in the judicial posi-
TONS holding in the balance the life lib
erty and property of all the people. In
your state of Minnesota the wishes and
enactments of its citizens, as expressed by
your legislature, to take off the burdens
imposed by trusts and monopoIies, have
been set aside by your supreme court.
whose edict delivers the whole populat ton
to the merciess spoliation of the combina-
tons, which, under cover of law cease
lessy 'lade men with burdens grievous to
be borne" The day may rapidly come
when new constitutions will make Judges
servants and not masters.
Is there no remedy for this? Are the
people to be so idiotic to remain car
cass' around which the buzzards will be
gathered together" evermore in BANQUET I?
Or will some shock more dreadful than
misery and starvation, be necessary to
arouse them from apathy and force them
into united action?
At the bank convention last week m San
Francisco a speaker said:
There are probably 10000 hanks and
bankers in the United States The comm
troller of the currency has reports from
S466. but some did not report last year.
The paid up capital Of these banks is
$1,0S4607 800, while the amount of deposits
is 81. 736, 1886, 100, and the aggregate resources
S7,079, 511, 800"
This class has in possession resources,
equal to one-eighth of the present entire
property of the Union They have 1-20th