The record-union., 1897-08-29
SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION OF
DANGERS THAT THREATEN.
The Greatest of These Said to be
the Unequal Distribution or
Wealth.

Wealth.
Especial Correspondence Of Record-union)
Eds. "Record-Unfon:" A careful OBJ
servance of western journalism, eA-
tending over a period Of two decades,
inclines me to esteem your journal
amongst the foremost in independent
expression and hberality OF opinion.
Particularly in economical and pollu-
cal discussion I have observed that7
while the Record Union" is conserVa-
tive to a notable degree, 1t Is fearless
IN taking advanced positions, ana IN
maintaining its views along broad anu
comprehensive lines, whenever its pol
icy of upholding the general welfare
of ats constituency is manifest That
it is neither an easy nor a common
thing for public journals to represent
and faithfully maintain public inter-
ests is apparent on every hand. The
ordinary newspaper and journal from
its very dependence upon local, partisan
and nearly always circumscribed pat
ronage, cannot often subsist and can
never thrive in outspoken and absolute
independence. In the very conditions
that bring them into being their poll
cies are predetermined. They are born
to shackles.
Independence is not only rare in jour
nalism, but, strictly examined into, 1t
is a thing not found in human affairs,
or in the world. l can imagine no clear
definition of the word itself, but in a
relative dependent sense. If mortal
man could be Independent a republican
10, - Of N4rI1i q
this essay shall treat) would be a thing
OF simplicity indeed-but there would
be no need of it. AS one of the, most
evident facts in natural conditions, as
1t is permitted US to comprehend them,
no mote, material or being under the
sun is independent; and the forked ami
NAL, describing itself by the word man,
is perhaps the least independent of
creatures.
There are but relative degrees OF
independence, and here is a great theme
for moralists. Let US put it in the form
of a query and submit it to those who
may feel themselves competent to med
dle"wdth It, l. e. man being a depend
ent creature, subjective to infinite des-
tiny, why should he be considered NOR
ally or physically competent, finitely
Or definitely anSWeraDle!
Let the query go. 1t is one of many
that has helped to fill the world with
words. Man is a child or an atom of
nature, and is unquestionably depend
ent upon nature and, in a measure,
upon bis own kind. The realization Of
this condition is an instinct that i'm
pe1s him to social intercourse, colonial
tfon, and so to seek an equal and in
telligent adjustment of his selfish inter-
ests and call it government.
Omitting saints and martyrs, of
whom mankind has produced some ad-
mirable examples, as well as some not
so able-the common desire of
civilized humanity is that of equality.
Most men, at least those in state of
recognized civilization, aspire to this
which may be defined in the prevail
ing sense as an impartial distribution
of privileges. Almost his first aSSer-
ton of manhood is when the schoolboS
daras the reigning bully to personal
combat, exclairning, Il am as good as
you!" The bully, embryotic tryant as
he is. denies the assertion and the ar
g1anent of kings and nations is resort
ed to, VIZ: brute force.
The common desire of civilization can
be nothing higher or more creditable
than equality, understood as an i'm
partial distribution of privileges. 1t
is no more or less than the truth to
assert that this has never been attained
by any government. 1t is the reef
upon which many ships of state have
foundered and along it's rocky shores
the wreckage of dynasties. empires and
republics have accumulated with the
passing of the ages.
An impartial distribution of privi-
7eges would seem TO be simple phrase.
and the boon national equality a thing
easy Of attainment by an enlightened
and civilized people; yet the history of
the world has stamped it unattainable.
But there are things attainable that
have never been attained. and as long
as science acknowledges by its achieve
ments day by day that there is infinity
beyond, as long as we but grope in the
bewildering and unexplored realm of
thought, we can assume nothing to be
impossible or unattainable.
Asserting equality then to be the
chief end or highest object of civiliza-
fion, particularly in a republican gov
ernment, it is our privilege to inquire
into the progress being made to that
end, and to review the methods adopt
ed by the leading figures in last years
politics, to compare the methods and
principles of parties, and finally to ap-
prove or regret the judgment of the
nation itself.
The writer of this paper has no
apology to make for appearing pre-
sumptous in attempting topics so
widely, generally and exhaustively dis
cussed throughout the country during
the campaign of 1896. AS nothing he
can say can affect the result of that
campaign, or influence votes that have