Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1896-12-13
PHILOSOPHY OF DEMOCRACY.

Democracy; that is to say. a form OF
government in which sovereignty
and supreme power Is held by the
people tho first in their individual
capacity and the second collectively
has to do with ethics rs well
ns economics. A sound basis is rs
essential for progressive social Life
Oh it is for building up and extending
commercial and industrial enter
prises. Therefore the consistent
Democrat is not only deeply interest
ed in the growth of national wealth
OF the people as n whole but he Is
equally concerned in how it is dis
tnbuted. A consistent Democrat
could not with satisfaction witness
trade expansion and industrial growth
unless the distribution OF the profits
accruing was somewhat in ratio 10
the worth Of the several pro-
ductiyo forces which participated in
the operation and movement as
capital, skill and labor. True
Democracy teaches that while the
aim OF the people collectively should
DO the promotion OF the nations well
fare, the desired end is reached only
through individual prosperity, and
that it Is the aggregate prosperity OF
the people which gives the nation
strength and character.
1t is clearly Democratic to oppose
the employment Of any agency that
il calculated to build up separate and
favored classes. That Is to say. it is
not Democratic to permit the build
ing up Of or the maintenance OF a
social or q commercial status with a
plutocracy at the top and a proletari
at at the bottom. Indeed, Democracy
would look upon such conditions OF
existence for the people as the most
Objectionable OF all forms Of aristoc-
racy, for those at the top would be
there because OF their greed and av-
arice, and not at all because Of moral
or intellectual excellence or patriotic
attachment to the institutions OF the
country, while those below might
represent III themselves all the ele-
ments Of true manhood-so much so.
indeed. that their high sense Of in
dividual right conduct forbade them
entering a struggle for property
holding supremacy which could be
made to end in victory only by
sacrificing the rights and appropriat.
ing the opportunities Of others.
Tho central principle Of Democracy,
and around which all others cluster,
l. that in ratio to tho good reasons
which producers OF mcrchantable
commodities-labor have to be con-
tented ID the stability OF the govern.
ment and the liberties OF the people
assured. In other words. il any OF
tho increase in national wealth is
arbitrarily made to drift into the
hands Of a few, there is oppression in
tho administration OF the public al.
fairs Of the people, and what should
DO a national blessing ia n national
curse.
That ia an ideal or Democratic
system OF wealth growth which broad
n and elevates the manhood OF eacl
and every Il who participates in the
work. II is democratic principles
practically applied when each pro
ducer or wage Garner receives Of til,
profits accruing from his production
the utmost OF his deserving. Dem
ocracy repudiatcs the economic theor,
that there can be ~permanency III a ma
ton which permits one class OF IL
people to accumulate wealth while nm
other class sinks In want aud misery
Democracy teaches TINT when n System
OF Legislation, ia fastened upon IN,
skill. the brain aud the Drawn Of
country which Ia productive Of sucl
results, the time has ONE for IN,
people to rico in their might aud over
throw and overinrn md rebuild, bn
upon lines OF peace and good will
IOg Angeles HpruIt.