The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1897-10-14

queathed us by our fathers, each citi.
zen OF our country should labor with
intelligent zeal for the promotion oI
her best interest, both in social, and
civil life-for the suppression of the
venallty which has furtively crept into
our system /; and lend aid and counten-
ance to all who labor on the lines of
social, civil, and moral reformation
thus only can individual liberty be
preserved, and the assured inheritance
OF succeeding generations.
Another fatal raid is being made on
Individual freedom by the unjust sys-
tenn of taxation. No taxation is fair,
and equable, unless levied on the idea
that each one should be assessed in the
proportion of his holdings. Under our
system the burthen rests heaviest up
on those least able to bear 1t, bnt how
can we expect any improvement, so
long as jobbers and chafferers are tax
ing the place of statesmen9
What chance does the great army OF
laborers have in the struggle for exist
ence, where the combined wealth OF
the country is allied with the law pow
er, to depress prices and minimize the
fruits of their labor?
The natural alliance which should
exist between capital and labor is be-
coming daily more divergent, which
will ultimately produce a war of ele-
ments Infinite, and bring to a shameful
close, the boasted progress of the nine
teenth century.
Great Britain has ever acted upon
the assumption that whosoever COM
mands the sea commands the trade :
whosoever commands the trade of the
world commands the riches of the
world and consequently the world it.
self-wby have not we with our boasted
intelligence, and infinite variety of re-
sources. more tenaciously grasped this
idea, and worked it out to a happy
conclusion? With every advantage we
have failed to embrace the situation,
and been sadly left in the rearguard of
the worlds race for naval supremacy.
Without a proper appreciation OF
the advantages we enjoy, and a right
application of them to existing circum-
stances, we can not keep step with the
progressive improvement of other sys-
TENS unless we allow the largest indi-
vidual liberty consistent with public
safety, enhancing as it will, that love OF
country, and Jealous interest IN her
welfare, which will be to all an ele-
ment of great strength.
It has been most truthfulIy affirmed,
that the greatest bulwark of freedom
is the doctrine of limitation upon hu-
man authority, and the essential per-
sonal rights which are beyond the ju-
risdictlon of the community. Make
any 1nfraction upon these cardinal
principles; invade this sacred realm
yea, cut but one thread of the cord that
binds these inalienable birthrlghts OF
liberty, to that extent you weaken the
faith of it's possessors in Its future lease,
enlarge the margin of human incredu-
llty as to the success of this hitherto
untried experiment, resulting In mon
archial glee, and reversing the course
of the progressive spirit of civilization
"a civilization, which has been our
boast, as being its successful pioneers,
and defenders for over a century. Con-
tlnue then, my countrymen, to guard
with jealous interest the basic prin-
clples upon which our system rests,
lest we all become involved In one
common ruin and evoke the mock and
derision of future ages.
Our fathers after appealing to heaven
for the rectitude OF their Intentions,
and rlsking their lives and fortunes to
achieve what they believed to be the
inalienable right which every one bad
to life, liberty, and the pursuit of nap
piness-through great tribulatlon did
achieve and bequeathed to us this
priceless heritage, coupled with we'll
devised, and carefully guarded funda-
mental law.
And in illustration of the fruits OF
their labors 1t may we'll be asked where
in the eons of the past can the chroni-
cles of events show such marvellous re-
suits, as has been mapped out in
American history?
With her short llfe-story, Ga mere
pa:cnthesis in the cycle of time) she
stands out to-day, pre-eminently, the
richest, grandest, and most progressive
of all.
Starting out few decades back
with little group Of petty sovereign
ties, scattered along the Atlantic sea.
board-bound together for mutual de
fence, in one organic Union, with
Titanic effort, she has so expanded hel
@gis that she has become the admira
ton, and wonder, of systems already