The herald., 1896-12-13

The presidents message to congress
on December 7th Is very long. but Is,
perhaps the ablest document yet pre-
sented to the public from that source.
A. Cleveland's last will and testament
to the American people, it Is quite In
teresting in several points.
We can excuse his lengthy treatment
of Cuban affairs and his cautious ap-
proach to the objective point when we
consider that the carefully sugar-coated
pill at the end of his remarks Will have
q bitter taste to Spain. and will operate
as a tonic to the idea Of ultimate in
tervention, as at cannot be reasonably
assumed that the hitherto expectant
attitude of the United States will be in
definitely maintained" Surely, II SEN
ator John Mitchell of oregon had care
fully read the foregoing and what fol-
lowed it HE could not have accused Mr..
Cleveland Of 'refraining from any rec
concentrations as to congressional ac-
tion.' for the implied meaning was un-
mistakable, though he left action" for
congress itself to decide upon after the
inability of Spain to deal successfully
with the insurgents shall have become
manifest" He leaves congress to be the
Judge in the matter-precisely as an
executive should do. He also leaves to
kis successor the pleasant responsibility
Of retiring the greenbacks which Sher-
man less than year ago opposed on
the ground that they ARE the peoples
money"
But the most significant portion of the
message-one that marks new depart
ure in presidential messages. and in
view of which some of US will cheerfully
pardon him for the note of Thanksgiving
that in the opening Of the document. as
cends to heaven over the result of the
late election-is his clear-cut reference
to the Aggregated Capital" without
whose combined influence Mr.. Mckinley
could not possibly have been elected:
AGGREGATED CAPITAL.
Another topic in which the people
rightfully take a deep interest may be
here briefly considered. I refer to the
existence of trusts and other huge ag-
gregations of capital tile object of
which is to secure the monopoly of some
particular branch of trade, industry or
commerce. and SO stifle wholesome
competition. When these are defended
it is usually on the ground that though
they increase profits they also reduce
prices, ard thus benefit the public. 1t
must be remembered, however, that
reduction of prices to the people is not
one of the real objects Of these organiza-
tions. nor is their tendency necessarily
in that direction. If it occurs in par
ticular case it is only bec1lse it accords
with the purpose or interest of those
managing the scheme.
of compensating for the evils charged
to the account of trusts and monopolies.
Their tendency is to crush out iEdivid-
ual independence and to hinder or pre-
vent the free use of human faculties and
the full development of human charac-
ter. Through them the farmer, the ar
fisan and the small trader Is in danger
Of dislo6gment from the proud position
OF being his own master, watchful of all
that touches his country's prosperity, in
which he has an Individual lot, and in
terested in all that affects the advant-
ages Of business Of which he is factor,
to be relegated to the level Of mere ap-
purtenance to great machine, with
little free will, with no duty but that of
passive obedience and with little hope or
opportunity of rising In the scale of
healthful and responsible citizenship.
To the instructive belief that such is the
inevitable trend Of trusts and monopo-
Hes is due the widespread and deep
seated popular aversion in which they
are held. and not the unreasonable in
j Eistence that whatever may be their in
cidental economic andvantages, their
general effect upon personal character,
prospects and usefulness cannot be
otherwise than injurious.
Though congress has attempted to
deal with this matter by legislation, the
laws passed for that purpose thus far
hAve proven ineffective, not because of
any lack Of disposition or attempt to en-
force them, but simply because the laws
4 themselves as interpreted by the courts
20 not reach the difficulty. If the in
sumciency Of existing laws can be reme-
died by further legislation, it should be
done"
The foregoing is the best Calamity
howl uttered on the subject by any ma
f1onal executive, but is only good SO far
~ A. goes. And doubt If Mr.. Cleveland
4 1G6Self has studied or clearly considered
~ Inherent philosophy Of the modern
6oe q he had he would realise that