The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-27
Communism in Disguise.


Very little is heard these days of COM
munism and socialism. This, however, is
not because either is dead. The reason
is that the central idea of the two isms,''
the distribution or confscation of the
property and earnings of the thrifty and
economical, has become the policy of GER
tain organizations which, under various
political disguises, seek TO cloak their real
purpose. Manifestations of this truth are
to be seen from time to time in the vari-
Gus legislative bodies, national, state and
municipal. In all parts of the country,
and more especially in the cities and larg-
er towns where wealth is supposed to
be concentrated, there is a cry for heavier
and still heavier taxation. The industri-
Gus, frugal laborer who lives within his
means and lays aside something for a
rainy day, is called upon to stand and
deliver" his earnings at the command of
the Office holders, who distribute the col
lections among themselves in salaries and
jobs, or waste it in schemes to advance
their own political or personal fortunes.
There are, of course. honorable serv-
ants and representatives of the people in
office, but it would really seem that the
number of them is growing less, and that
often they are supplanted by men who
are out for more offices, more commits
sions, more appropriations, more jobs,
and more schemes through which to make
way with the substance of those who
work.
And then, to cap ALL there are the pen
rTv.Az
generally speaking, are squeezed out of
those who get caught in the meshes of the
law. In many cases it is not the vindica-
ton of the law which is sought, but the
pocketbooks OF the persons who are so
unlucky as u be ensnared. The fees, the
charges, the costs, are the things wanted
Communism Is not dead. 1t has merely
| assumed a less offensive garb In its
new dress, however, it is more dangerous
than before, because it works in more
subtle ways. There is no red flag to give
warning of it. It's advocates are not the
| ignorant foreigners who see foes in the
prosperous Americans, as in other days
but they are the briefess barristers and
the landless agrarians who, educated at
the public expense and having nothing
upon their return home from school, turn
to politics for a support and prey upon
their benefactors, the people. Such poll
ticians are banded together for a common
purpose, namely the getting and holding
of office for personal profit. Their policy
! is to get office at any cost and by any
means. BY trading, buying and bullying
they get a foot-hold. and possibly work
| themselves up to q high place on the po-
litlcal ladder: and then they hope that
because of their emlnence. their shortcom-
ings will be forgiven and forgotten, and
| that they will become known to posterity
as statesmen. @
This sort Of politics seems to be flour
ishing at present, but it cannot continue
You cannot fool all of the people all of
the time" said Mr.. Lincoln. Communism
may be disguised for a time, but 1t will
eventually be discovered and punished
Americans will not tolerate it, They will
arise against the disguised communists
and send them to Coventry for the bal
ance Of their days. The politicians would
do wen to make note of the fact