Fair play., 1896-12-05
DEMOCRATIC TEACHINGS.
Opposition to tho Building Up Of tho
Moneyed Glass.

Opp0sltion to the building Up OF tho
Moneyed Glass.
Democracy, that is to say, form Of
government in which sovereignty and
supreme power is held by the people
the first in their individual capacity ard
the second collectively-has to do with
busis is as essential for progressive
social life rs it Is for building up and ex-
tending commercial and Industrial en-
terprises. Therefore the consistent
democrat Ia not only deeply interested
in tho growth of national wealth-of
the people as whole--but he is equally
concerned in how it Is distributed. A
consistent democrat could not with sat
isfaction witness trade expansion and
Industrial growth unless the distribu-
tion of the profits nccruing was some
what in ratio to the worth of the sew
cral productive forces which partici-
pated in the operation and movement
us capital. skill and labor. True
democracy teaches that while the aim
of the people collectively should be the
promotion of the nations welfare, the
desired end is reached only through in
diviiual prosperity, ana that 1t 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 Is cal
culated to build up separate and IA
vorcd classes. That is 10 say, it is not
democratic to permit the building up OF
or the maintenance of social or Il COM
mercial status with u plutucrucy at the
top and proletariat at the bottom. In
deed, democracy would look upon such
conditions OF existence for the people us
the most Objectionable Of all forms of
arisocracy, for those at the top would
he there because of their greed and av-
arice, and not ut all because of moral or
Intellectual excellence or patriotic at
tachment TO the institutions o. the
country, while those below might rep
resent In themselves all the elements of
true munhood-so much so. indeed that
their high sense of individual right con-
duct forbade them entering II struggle
for property-holfing supremacy which
could be made to end in victory only by
sacrificing tha rights and av2ropriating
the opportunities Of others.
The central principle of democracy.
and around which all others cluster, is
that in rntio to the good reasons which
producers of merchantable commodi-
tes-lnbor-havet to be contented is the
stability of the government and the
liberties of the people assured. In other
words, If any OF the increase in national
the hands of u few, there is oppression
in the administration OF the public af
fairs OF the people, and what should be
n national blessing is 4 national curse.
hat is m ideal or democratic system
Of wealth growth which broadens and
elevates the manhood of each and every
one who participates i'll the work. 1t is
democratic principles practically APP
piled when each producer ur wage
Garner receives of the profits accruing
from his production the utmost of his
deserving. Democracy repudiates the
economic theory that there can he per-
munancy in nation which permits one
class of its people to accumulate wealth
W hi!c another class sinks in want and
misery. Democracy teaches that when
system of legislation is fastened upos
the skill, the brain and the Drawn of 4
country which is productive nf such re.
suits. the time has come fC:-sSS. c'";,.7
to rise in their might and overthrow ai4,.
oyerturn and rebuild, but upon lines OF
peace and good wiiI.-Los Angeles Her
aid