Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1897-08-27

among people, it was disposed to recog-
nize division lines as based upon descent
from old families, distinguished
talent or important public service.
Wealth had no more than the advantage
for the moment that the means for pur-
chase in 1t implied. The power beyond
this had not dawned. 1t did not aspire
to control public policy by the prestige
of its possession, and less was it disposed
to buy the adoption of public policy.
These are comparatively modern in
novatons. Our nation has grown to be
one of the richest among civilized peo-
pies. Its money has been earned by the
industry, energy and enterprise of Amer
leans as whole. There were extra
ordinary opportunities for acquiring
wealth In it, but the peculiar talent of
our people was needed to utilize them.
Wealth is never equally distributed.
The fittest succeeds in it, as the iiJtest
survives in the grand struggle for exist
ence itself. The business class here
have made money almost since the be-
ginning of the nation. Those compris-
ing it had terms of prosperity early in
the century. There is some doubt as to
whether it is all obtained honestly, or at
least fairly, nowadays. and it appears to
have become more unequal in distribu-
ton, to the extent of building up enor-
nous fortunes. within the last few years
than ever before. Yet we do not think
there is any general disposition to inter-
fere with the full realization of the bene-
fits of wealth, to give wealth all the adj
vantages that legtimately arise from its
possession. There is natural uneasi-
ness among people, however, who see
great fortunes constantly accommodating,
while they find poverty and privatlon in
their own lot. This is increased to the
amount of jealousy and resentment if the
impression is obtained that wealth is
undertaking to control the government.
Here is the deeper laid root of dis
contented manifestations today. 1t is a
fundamental cause of them. Schemes of
currency or tariff are symptoms of a
feeling which takes that form of express
sion More harm may be done them by
increasing this feeling than in any other
way, The people will more readily en-
dure legislation on the currency that
they do not approve, or submit to a
tariff which seems to them oppressive
IN its operation, than they will be patient
while an attempt is made by wealth to
control the government. l. is not
necessary to discuss the question here as
whether wealth has done or is doing
this now; it is sufficient to say that a
great many people believe it has done
and is doing it. Under such conditions,
it is important that wealth shall do
nothing TO irrtate and increase this feel
ing, Prudence and forbearance in this
respect are plainly indicated as neces-
sary.
rWo recent instances in point impress
US as being as bad in policy for wealth
as they are in bad principle. The first
relates to the Goa! mine strike of the
country. Here is of necessity case Of
wealth against labor. We have before
expressed the opinion that labor is right
in it, but it is not necessary TO hold that
view in order to enforce the considera-
tons we are presenting. The strikers
in their conflict with capital have been,
through a court in West Virginia, denied
( one of those rights inherent in American
citizenship. and in the absence of which
there cannot be the equality that it has
been believed our form of government
guaranteed among citizens. They have
been forbidden to combine to persuade
men to participate in the struggle for
higher wages in which they are engaged.
The indications are that this court decree
has been issued in the interest of wealth.
struggle with labor at all events. The
workmen believe that wealth called the
court in and regard its decision as an
assault upon the rights of all citizens,
and direct attack upon those of labor
ing men.
The second instance will probably
have been anticipated. 1t is found in
the attempt to appropriate colleges to
the service of wealth. Rich men have
banded together, under the lead of a
millionaire in the case of Brown uniyer-
sity, not alone to direct a president of
that institution in what he shall teach,
bur to compel him to suppress his
personal opinions when these conflict
with their own. This is done professed-
ly and very nearly primarily because
rich men do not like those opinions.
There is claim here that, as rich men
do not like them, they must not be held
by the head of the university. "We
want rich mems money" they say
erich men will not give it unless these
opinions are suppressed. Therefore
they must be suppressed" What is
This but aLino rich mon rho arhitars