Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1895-06-28
ssUnclo sam,s Cabiny.v

'.uucle Sans Cabins is the title
of n decidedly, interesting novel that
was put before tho public n few weeks
ago. It is "a story of American
life looking forward century"
by, Mr.. Benjamin r. Davenport.
The author has drawn most hor-
rible picture of American life. espec-
cially farm, life, after our ''protec-
tive" tariff system has continued 100
years longer, y Ho continues the con-
centratiqp of wealth, (Which began
with the Acknowledgement '.protcction"
in 1862, and had given us 5000 mill
ionaires and multi-millionaires in
1890, and millions of tramps, paupers
and tenant farmers) until, in 1894, n
very few persons own the whole coun-
try. Public schools wero abolished
long before 1904, and but few farm
ers can read or write. States havo
disappeared, except that in some cases
old State lines mark tho boundarie.
of districts belonging to single pro-
prietors-as for example, Que proprie-
tor owns tho "District of Ohio" Tho
poverty and moro miserable condi-
tions than WAS ever tho lot OF tho
Irish peasnntry. In all districts or
States but Ohio tho farmers have nj
ready signed "bonds of servitude,"
which makes them slaves to the pro-
prietors, aud tho Ohio farmers arc
compelled to sign away their romain-
ing freedom soon after the opening of
tho story. Because of the impoverish
ment of the farmers and their innbil-
ity to purchase goods of any kind,
manufacturing and othor industries
have declined until they are nearly ex
tinct. A military despotism ha1
taken tho place of n once glorious re-
public.
The imagination OF the greate7t pe1-
simist living could scarcely conceiv,
of such poverty, degradation an
hopelessuess rs aro hore pictured M
tho result of 100 years OF "prote,-
ton" Undoubtedly most readers will
say that tho picture is over Drawn.
Probably it was purposely ovorlrawn.
But one thing is certnin: The rapiI
concentration Of wealth that has been
going on sincs 1852 cannot continu,
forever without impoverishing tbs
masses aud practically onslaving them
unless, rs is probable, they revolt
aud destroy titles to property bsfor,
thoy become slaves. Since 1859 eighty
per cont of our wealth has change |
from the possession of eighty per
cent. of our population to ten per
cent. of it. This process continued n
few decades longer will wreck or re-
public. Something must stop it. A
republic is safe oaly when wealth is
comparatively evenly distributed aiselI'
when labor receives its just reward.
Protective tariffs, special privile3 COS,
monopolies, trusts, millionaires, bill
ionnires, mortgaged farmers, tenant
farmers, -paupers, tramps, slaves all
of these nre but mile stones on tho
road to ruin.
Even if Mr.. Davenport is mistaken
rs to the cause of the disease and tho
remedy Tor it-ns is probable has
written book that will arouse earn
est thought in the minds OF all patri-
otto citizens rs to tho future of this
Nation. Perhaps, however, tn, ma
jority of tue readers of "Uucle Suns
Cabins" will TAX, less interest i'll TIL,
discussions of social problems thln in
the story OF love M marringe with
the usual accomplishments Of villainy,
murder, sellishnoss AMI uuseli shuess,
heroism and cowardice.