The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-03
CLASS LAWS.

The Brunswick Gazette in reply to The
Times says that in this age Of conflict
ing interests when one class preys upon
another and fattens upon its misfortuhes.
that it is the part Of wisdom for each
class to make itself the guardian Of its
own interests and the defender OF its
rights, and that ii is q vain and idle
thing TO expect a display Of any quixotic
effort on the part of the strong in behalf
of the weak That this is an era of
sel6shness when every business and pro-
fession must of necessity be watchful and
alert to prevent encroachment upon its
rights. That the farmers have at last
opened their eyes to this fact and in the
proposed convention they hope TO pro-
fit by their experience and TO at
tempt for themselves what they have
vainly hoped that others would do for
them.
And this In conclusion:
They have at last commenced to realize
the truth of the aphorism that he who
would be free must himself strike the
blow" In attempting 10 liberate them
selves from the worse than Egyptian
bondage they are under TO the monopolist
they fail entirely to perceive any just
cause TO suspect them OF a desire to in
nict injury upon others. in the effort TO
strike down the hydra headed
mc~stcr they feel that they should
receive the approving thanks
rather than the condemnation
Of all other classes who like themselves
are the victims of its graspieg greed.
The Gazette simply emphasizes what
The Times has contended for all along
that all laws designed to "hcip business"
are mischievous and are sure if they
help at all. to help one class at the ey-
perse Of other classes. The Gazette
thinks that something should be done
for the farmers because something is
done" for others. II says in another
article that farmers should have free
seeds, because every action Of govern
acnt I'm recent years has been in the m
te est OF monopolistic combinations. -
the prejudice and injury Of the farmer"
fhe Times contends that all class Jaws
should the rather be abolished, so that
no class will have an advantage. but that
all classes shall be on the same footing.
We shall let Hon. a. X Mcclure, of the
Philadelphia Times, answer the Gazette.
In a recent address at Charleston, 5. c.,
he took up all these questions and among
other things said that the great error of
the day consisted in the fact that the
PEOPLE had been taught by those who
should have known better to turn from
themselves TO the Government to seek
the remedy for their troubles. The Gov.
eminent was not instituted to maintain
the people. but TO give just laws. When
turned aside from that end its purpose
was destroyed. The people of this coun-
try would never be prosperous till they
made themselves so.
Bad laws. he went on, might hinder
advancement. but any law which meddled
with the industry of the people worked
an injury. Laws should be made with
the one single end Of achieving the
greatest good for the greatest number.
Then there was talk OF trusts Trusts
were the products of special legislation.
and what the people wanted was to stop
est.
Speaking more particularly Of the farm
ers, he said that II was often contended
that farming did not pay. This was not
true and he would make them confess il.
out West. while the American farmer
was in politics, while he was attending
mass-meetings and lodges and listening
TO demagogues. the citizens of foreign
birth were at home and at work. They
were prospecting. If the American-born
farmer did not do so well it was his own
fault. once and for all they might learn
that there was nothing TO be made by
passing resolutions asking the Govern
ment to give them something for MOTH
ing.
What this country asks OF It's laws Is
opportunity. 1t cannot make its citi-
zens richer or poorer. Let It give them
equal laws for you and for me- for all