The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-05-14

* {8X'NA AN
MO question is Of more vital i'm
M portance to every man and WON
u an than that Of the perpetuity
T our republican institutions and
,orm Of government. Recognizing this
tact, the following questions were re-
.ently submitted to number Of prom
nent public men, assumed to be best
qualified to answer them:
First-Will our present republican
form of government last one hundred
rears longer?
Second-If not, why not?
Third-What is its greatest peril!
Fourth-Is there any danger that
Aliens may So buy up the land and for
aign syndicates so buy up the business
enterprises as to obtain control Of our
country and eventually change its
FORM Of government?
The answers received, which com
Prise a most interesting symposium
sill be found below.
Cardinal Glbbons-To the first cues
ion I reply that I not only fervently
pray and trust but also firmly believe
that It will. In view Of my answer to
FOUR first question your second one re-
suires no answer. Its greatest peril
les in departure from those Christian
principles upon which our very laws
and institutions are based. To the
fourth query reply that in my judS-
nent we need have no fear Of foreign
capitalists and foreign syndicateS
Those who invest in our public lands
and our business enterprises will natu-
lily be brought into closer acquaintance
with our present republican form Of
government, and there Is little doubt
that our institutions and our laws
will gain upon them upon closer ac'
auaintance, and finally win their com
,lete respect and loyal support
Senator Dolph-To the first question
answer yes; the Constitution may be
amended, changes In form may occur
put our republican government will
endure for all time. My answer to the
frst question renders it: unnecessary
20 give one to the second. will not
undertake to answer categorically the
third question. The maintenance Of
government by the people Is possible
,nly when the masses are independent,
intelligent and yirtuous. The danger
20 our republican form Of government
arises from the ignorant, the vicious
and venal classes, controlled by de-
signing and corrupt men. do not
think there is particle of danger that
aliens will so buy up the land and for
.lgn syndicates so buy up the business
enterprises as to obtain control Of our
country and eventually change its form
# government.
T. Y. Powderly-Our present repub
tican form Of government cannot last
100 years longer and continue to drift
under the power Of monopoly and
wealth as it is doing now; in fact, the
money power at the present day forms
an sristocracy or plutocracy which
entirely nunifeS every section, clause,
and article n our bill of rights when
ever they are called in question in be-
half Of the people. The greatest peril
menacing our government is the power
IS and Indifference Of our people. The
poor are so oppressed that they are
forced to sell themselves for what they
can get, and are thus at the mercy Of
the bosses, the plant tools Of monopo-
", who forge to the front in our politi-
cal parties. do not care whether it
be an alien or native syndicate that
buys up the land or the business enter
prises Of the country, for the instinct
Of greed Is the same in an American
as an Englishman, and We have. there
fore, as much to fear land stealing ip
ane form as another.
Ex-senator Edmunds-I most certain
" think that our present republican
form Of government will last 100 years
longer. The greatest perils to our re-
public are insufficient education, excess
Of the foreign element, and political
corruption think there Is no danger
Of any considerable portion Of the lands
of the United States falling into for
eign control, nor that any considerable
portion Of its business enterprises will
ever be owned or controlled by for.
Ngners,
Ex-senator Evarts-I cannot possibh
feel any great degree Of concern as to
the stability Of the noble institutions
which this great, prosperous, and pow
srful country is now in the enjoyment
Z.
Wade Eampton-Time alone can give
the answer to the first and second ques-
tons. With regard to what Is the
greatest peril Of our government, I
think it is the accumulation Of money
In the hands Of a few persons and the
unscruoulous use Of wealth. I appre
bend no danger to republican institu-
tons from foreign capital or immigra-
ton in the way pointed out by your
fourth question, but think that great
harm is done to the country by allow
Ing Nihilists, Communists and paupers
Of other lands to become citizens Of
ours.
Senator Sherman| never venture
to prcphesy for the future. No one can
answer the questions with any conf
dence, though I hope most earnestly
that cur present glorious republican
form Of government will last for many
years. The perils Of the future cannot
ha antscinated. Any man Eouid usurp