The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-05-23

and men
Gang aft aglee"-
The Southern found an unforeseen
obstacle in its road to universal con-
quest. The Seaboard Air Line abso-
lutely and unequivocally refused to
join body organized under an iron.
clad agreement to protect each other
in systematic robbery of the people.
1t could neither be cajoled, BAN
boozled nor bullied. 1t was offered a
pro-rata share of the "spoils of war
ON public interests-but it declined
either to be tempted or bribed. 1t
had suffered enough during a series
Of years from secret slabs and encroach
ments on its business by the Southern
to know precisely what reliance could
be placed on its professions of upright
intention and friendship. Wherefore,
the Southern, finding diplomacy OF
no avail, resorted to coercive measures,
and opened fire from its converging
batteries all along the Seaboard Air
Line.
The latter, greatly to the surprise
OF its assailant, stood its ground with
determination and fortitude that has
aroused universal admiration and re-
spect. In answer to the &c boycott"
Instituted by the Southern and its
cuckoo lines-the meanest and most
contemplate weapon to which indi-
vlduals or corporations can resort
the Seaboard announced cut rates.
believing they were far more COM
mendable than cut-throat rates. The
popular sentiment has been so pro-
nounced and open in its expressions
of sympathy thus far with the Seaboard,
that the Southern has deemed it neces-
sary to call to its aid another Wall
street banker and plutocrat, in the
fight to down its opponent, and insure
by its overthrow the ultimate subjuga-
ton OF the entire South.
Though the Seaboard maintains its
position at great disadvantage and
in the face of great odds, it is certain
of success in the end if there is any
virtue in the maxim, "Truth is mighty
and will prevail" The property in
terests of merchants, shippers, and the
public are far more seriously involved
in the outcome of this struggle for
independence against despotic authority
and of right against might than they
dream of.
The policy ofthe Seaboard Air Line,
as demonstrated during many years Of
honorable dealing with the public, is
"Live, and Let Live Its aims have
been, and are, to develop the country
it traverses and reaches, to promote
immigration, encourage industries and
make the South, not merely self-sup-
porting, but prosperous. 1t seeks to
build up large traffic over its lines
through rates uniformly moderate and
reasonable. 1t wants to realize fair
profit on its business and is doing so
without exacting from its patrons all
they can earn from the cultivation of
land or the sale of merchandise.
a railway system that is heart and
hand with the people, laboring to pro-
mote their best interests, is blessing
that can not be too highly appreciated.
On the other hand, railway system
which in its corporate plan and pur-
pose is neither of, by, nor for the peo-
pie, but is operated solely in the inter-
ests of Wall street vultures, that seek
to dictate to other lines the adoption
of its own cut-throat policies, which
will hinder progress and retard devel-
opment, is curse.
The South can not and must not
permit itself to be mortgaged body
and soul to monopoly that will
absorb the very liie-blood of its COM
MERGE, by the imposition and collection
of merciless tariff on all it earns and
produces. In the battle royal, not yet
fought to finish, the boycotted Sea-
board is, in large sense, champion
Of popular rights, and the people of
the South must stand by it like stone
wall.