The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-12-10
WILL rHEY DO Ira

Mr.. Calhoun, In a speech delivered In the
United States senate In 1887 upon the oil
vorcement Of state and bank, uttered a pro-
found truth intensely applicable TO a repub-
lie, when he said: "A deep popular excite
ment Is never without some reason, and
ought ever to be treated with respect; and
1t is the part OF wisdom to look timely into
the cause aad correct 1t before the excite
ment shall become so great a. 10 demoiish
the object, with all It's good and evil.
against which it Is directed
II We apply this truth to the conditions
o. unrest with reference to monopolies.
combines. trusts. corporations and large ag-
gregat;ons Of wealth in this country speed
lily ana at once, the nation may have cause
for congratulation. II not, 1t Ii safe to say.
in the Light OF the history OF other nations,
serious political disaster lies more nearly at
hand than some Of US are willing to be-
ieve.
We are wont to rely on the patriotism Of
the people for the safety Of our institutions.
but we forget that the very danger that
threatens our destruction Is the greed for
gain, which, IN the language OF Mr.. Hugo,
that great French patriot, "burns out the
spirit Of patriotism" and arrays all the
money forces on the sordid side OF the con-
f1ict and the moneyless on the other. Can
any man contemplate with complacency the
results of such q conflict? There can be but
one result, Of which the French Revolution
was a horrid prototype. In such case the
poor are the samsons who pull the temple
of he fcb md
selves die In the ruins. but they arc thus
satisfied In their desperation,
This Is not an overdrawn picture, For
fifteen years and moro there has been
growing among the people a deep feeling Of
antagonism to the power Of aggregated
wealth, becoming more and moro arrogant
In its fancied security. At first only whis-
I.ers Of opposition, listless criticisms wers
heard, but the voice has increased with time
Until within the last few years the constant
srowl of menacs has been heard. The las.
presidential campaign smacked too much OF
the French unrest to be lightly thrust aside
by any lover Of his country. Silver was
simply the battle-cry, the sign by which the
Disconnected forces were mashalled, not
the real cause Of tho unrest A glance at
the political conditions discloses q want Of
fealty to any party. The ranks OF two Of
the greatest political parties the world has
ever seen. parties that have made more his
tory, and have more to glory in than any
others. are disintegrating. and out of them
comes all manner of issues. Secret societies
are being formed. each with an idea and
ism Of its own; are struggling for the same
end-hrancial equality-yet all by different
means, and like the drowning man catching
at straw. seeking the impossible with the
determination OF the maniac. Shall we say
that these forces can not crystalline. will
not coalesce? that there IL no danger? So
ssid the French. but that did not prevent
the burning of the bastile nor the invasion
Of the palace of Louis by that inconceivable
medley Of French philosophers, Starving
poor, and liberty loving but misguided peo-
Pile
There Is q deep underlying cause for the
conditions existing In this country. and
every patriotic citizen owes to his country
q profound study Of those problems. Every
one should realize the fact that the greatest
storm that has ever swept the deck of the
old ship Of State is now raging. his Is the
time for the true sailor to keep a level head:
It is the time for our captains to take such
steps az viii right the ship; II II is neces-
sary to throw a part OF the cargo over
board, that should be done. We need not
expect the men who own the several parts
Of tie cargo to ask the captain to throw
their share overheard.
Unless the Republican party fs wise
enough and patriotic enough to see the
wrong and apply the remedy. its term OF Of
fee will be short. Thousands Of the mos.
conservative men In that party are hoping
and fearing for the future OF the grandest
political party on earth: hoping that II will
rise to the supreme demand; fearing that It
will not. Shall they be disappointed?