The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-10-15

Organism threatens the nation with
well-nigh irreparablc disaster through
destruction of its credit, reputation
Of its obligations, debasement of it's
currency and subversion, if not pros
titution, Of its supreme Judiciary.
Mckinleyism threatens the nation
with continuance Of hard times through
the mischievous application of mis-
taken, fallacious and condemnablc
economic theories, through sinister tax
tion of the money for the selfish, spe
cial prolit of the few, through a con-
tinuance of that class legislation which
has in the past contributed more than
any other canse to the enkindling Of the
present discortent and agitation. For
more than a third of a century one
economic fallacy after another has been
cultivated, one financial folly after an
other has been perpetrated by the re-
publican party. And the social and
financial heresies which affiict the mas
ton to-day arc the Legitimate harvest
Of the seed soVn by the adherents of re-
publicanism.
What wonder, then, that the nation
stood aghast when the capture of the
Chicago convention by the disciples of
populism and the fomentcrs of agra
rian and anarchistic agitation left open
no apparent alternative for the voters
of America other than q choice between
the evils OF Organism, portcntous and
terrible in anticipation, though happi
ly, as yet, never tested by practical ex-
perience, and the evils of McKinleyism,
only too unfavorably known by past
unfortunate results.
In view Of these considerations, how
startling appears the prophecy of Lord
Macaulay, contained in his famous let
ter to Mr.. Randall, the author of the
Life of Jefferson The great histo.
rian's words could hardly portray moro
wildly the actual conditions prevailing
in this country during the earlier por-
ton of the present campaign than if
they had been written cotemporane-
ously and upon the spot. His forecast
of the possibilities of the future
for America was contained in these
words:
Distress everywhere makes the Ia
bOrcr mutinOus and disconnected, and
inclineS him to listen with eagerness
20 agitatOrs who tell him that it is a
monstrous iniquity that one man should
have million while another cannot
States the majority is the government.
and has the rich always at its mercy.
''On one side is a statesman preaching
patience, respect for vested rights,
strict observance of public faith; on
the other is demago9ue rantinG about
the tyranny Of capitalists and usurers,
and asking why anybody should Ice per-
mitted to drink champagne or ride in
a carriage while thousands Of honest
folks are in want of necessaries.
"I seriously apprehend that you W ill in
some season of adyersity DO things that
will prevent a return of prosperity. There
will be, / fear, spoliation. The spoiiation
Will increase the distress. The distress.
will cause fresh spoiiation. When
ciety enters downward course,
either civilization or liberty will perish
Either some Caesar or Napoleon Will seize
the reins of government with strong
hand, or your republic will be as fear
fully plundered and laid waste in the
Twentieth century as the Roman empire
was In the nth. with this difference
that the Huns and NandaIs will have
been cngendercd within your own coun-
try by your own institutions"
Fortunately for the American peo-
pie, danger Of an early consummation
of the evils predicted by Macaulay has
been postponed, if not ayerted, by the
patriotic exertions of the members of
the national democratic party in so
promptly Tepudiating the communistic
conspiracy of Chicago and in unfurl-
ing anew the old banner OF genuine
democracy with the glorious legends
of the indianapolis declaration of prin-
ciples inscribed upon its folds, and the
names of pa.lner and Buckner en-
blazoned across its star-sprent field.
Their triumphant election would for
ever destroy the possibility of fulfill
ment of the remarkable forecast of the
great English writer.