The news & observer., 1898-05-26


heavily upon the poor than upon the
rich. The Republicans refuse to grant
the relief which could be secured through
an amendment to the constitution provid-
ing for an income tax. Should those
who favor an income tax oppose this
needed reform by fighting each other?
Trusts are being organized on every
hand, and the political as well as the
Industrial welfare of the country is being
menaced by these great aggregations Dl
capital. Should those who oppose trusts
aid in perpetuating their existence by
fighting each other?
Government by injunction has, even
since the election of 1896. developed new
dangers and to-day threatens the exist
ence of trial by jury. Should those who
oppose government by injunction aid is
making it permanent part of our judi
cial system by fighting each other?
Recent events have shown the necessi-
ty for arbitration as 4 means of set
Ting difficulties between labor and capi-
tai. and the federal government, by ap-
plying the principle to carriers engaged
i'm interstate commerce, would set most
salutary example to the States. Should
those who favor arbitration. by fighting
each other deny to the laboring men this
great boon?
If the questions above presented have
lost none of their Importance, it would
seem that cooperation is proper now if
proper eighteen months ago, unless il
can be shown that the parties which
could trust each other then cannot do
so now. As there has been no national
convention since 1896, it is impossible 60
judge of the present intentions of the
three parties unless we take for our cri-
teriOn the actions of those who stand in
IL representative capacity. The Demo
Gratis, the Populists and the silver Re
publicans who. in 1896. favored the re-
forms which / have mentioned. favor
them to-day. There is not a prominent
man of any of the parties which united
in 1896 who has abandoned any of the
reforms which drew the parties together.
The advocates of the gold standard,
the enemies of independent bimetallism
the opponents of the greenbacks. the
friends of national bank notes, the de-
tenders Of trusts, the supporters of gov
ernment by injunction. and those who
object to arbitration and an income tax,
all these find no difficulty in uniting on
the main issues. no matter how much
they differ upon minor ones. Shall the
friends of reform show less earnestness
or less sagacity? Reforms are often de-
layed by an attempt to secure too much,
while progress is usually made a little
at time. If one cherishes the hope
of laying up a competency for old age
he does not refuse to save anything un-
til he can save all that he desires. If he
is wise he lays aside little each day
and makes it the foundation for his for
tune Society moves forward slowly.
Circumstances make it possible to rise
10 n plane little higher than that occu-
pied before. and from this new vantage
ground the fight is renewed for the cap
ture of some greater height. Holland has
expressed an idea which may well be
applied to the unceasing contest waged
by those who would improve the condi-
tion of society and promote the welfare
of the human race. He says:
Heaven is not gained by a single
bound
We build the ladder by which we rise
From lowly earth to the vaulted skies,
And mount to its summit round by
round.
Many millions of our people believe
that the reforms above enumerated Will
bring vast advantage to the producers
of wealth, but whether the advantage
be much or little, these are the things
which lie Immediately in front of us, and
they must be decided one way or the
other before more remote questions, even
though they be greater ones, can be Sc
riously considered What though there
be questions which may ultimately sepa-
rate those who fought together in the
last campaign, will Democrats, POpu-
lists. or silver Republicans be the worse
for having secured those things for
which they are jointly contending? We
have all fought TO secure these things.
Is n thing worth fighting for and yet
not worth having?
Agitation is means to an end, not
the end itself. To secure few things IS
better than to advocate many things and
get nothing. Our opponents not only
recognize that there is strength III
union. but they also recognize that there
is weakness in division, and therefore,
they may be expected TO present unl-
ted front whenever the interests Of ag-
gregated wealth are attacked. and they
may he expected to spread dissentlons
wherever possible among the reform
forces.
The Democrats will be warned against
becoming tainted with Populism, and yet
Jefferson denounced banks of issue. and
Jackson entered into n contest with the
money power before there was a Popu-
list party. while the bimetallic system
was established in the United States be
fore any political party was organized
Our enemies will warn the Populists
against association with the Democrats
and with unstinted praise commend
those who are credited with putting
principle above office" The Republican
party win gladly leave the Populists il
possession of all the principles so Ions
as the Republicans are permitted to holl
all the offices, because political primer
pies are of no service to the public until
they are enforced through the legislative
judicial and executive departments OF
the government.
The silver Republicans will he asked
to listen to the siren song of interim.
tional bimetallists and warned agains
the contaminating influence Of bott
Democrats and Populists. As an ounce
Of prevention is said TO be worth {
pound of cure, so dollar spent in sepa
f. I.