Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-05-03
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Foresaw the Danger to the Country
of Vast Combinations
of Wealth.

Yes, we may congratulate ourselves
that this cruel war is nearing its close.
1t has cost a vast amount of treasure
and blood. The best blood of the flower
of the American youth has been freely
offered upon our country's altar that
the nation mi GIT live. It has indeed
been trying hour for the republic,
but see in the near future crisis ap-
preaching that unnerves me and causes
me to tremble for the safety of my
country. AS result of the war COR
porations have been enthroned, and an
era of corruption in high places will
follow, and the money power of the
country will endeavor to prolong it's
reign by working upon the prejudices
OF the people until all wealth is ag-
gregated in few hands and the re-
public is destroyed. 1 feel at this mo-
ment more anxiety for the safety of
the country than ever before, even in
the midst of war. God grant that my
suspicion may prove groundless.''-
Abraham Lincoln.
This extract is authentic and was
written in 1864 by Abraham Lincoln to
Mr.. Elkins, of Illinois. 1t was published
many years ago in book entitled:
collection of Lincoln's Sayings," by
Jesse Hooper, of Danville, ILL.,, and the
book, though old, is readily obtain
able. The identity or name of the
author of this statement is of little
consequence compared with the CRAWL
ty of it's terrible fulfillment We are
now dealing with the realization of the
unerring Judgment of Abraham Lin
coin; and the man who is botherine his
head about the name of him who pre-
dlcted it is not mentally capable of dis
t'nguishing the material from the i'm
material or the essential from the non
essential. He may be a man who is
sacrificing his honor on the altar of
Mammon, and SO long as he is able
to rake in the blood money of usury
from the unfortunate debtor class
thinks that present conditions are ex-
tremely satisfactory. 1t may be well
to briefly state a few facts concerning
the trend of present events Every
product OF industry except ~ is now
controlled by trust that regulates to
a greater or less extent the amount of
production and the prices of the prod
uct. Since William Mckinley was in
augurated ten times more trusts have
been formed than at any other period
OF the same time in the history of the
country. A capitalization of ST SOC, 0O0,-
600 has gone into business on the trust
plan since the era of prosperity of the
gold standard type made it's appear
ance. While competition is being throt-
tied and the aggregations of capitals
are conceded to be menacing the life
OF this republic, some who are tenn
porarily reaping special benefit from
the gold standard are cavilling over the
name Of the prophet who first foresaw
present conditions. The present ma
'tional administration is an alder and
abetter of trusts. The national plat
form of the republican party of 1896
was silent on the subject of trusts. The
platform of the same party in 1892 con-
tanned declaration against trusts.
The 1896 platform was dictated by
trusts and declared for the gold stand
ard, until international bimetallism
was brought about, which the money
power knew to be impossible, but which
was simply thrown in to fool the people.
The platform of 1892, which declared
against trusts, also declared for bimetal-
ism. In just fouryears the money power
swallowed the republican party. Now
trusts are daily forming and the party
is committed to the gold Standard
Trusts and the gold standard are the
handmaidens of industrial stagnation.
The usurer and the coupon clipper are
now enthroned and point with deri-
sion to populist (who demands stable
money!. and at the same time deliver
eulogies upon Lincoln, the founder of
their party. The country needs Lin
coin to stay the assassinating hand of
the oligarchy of wealth that threatens
the republics life. 1t may be we'll to
give some gold standard advocate an
opportunity to read what Lincoln said
'on the currency question, as follows:
Fluctuations in the value of currency
are always injurious. and to reduce
these fluctuations to the lowest possible
point will always be leading purpose
in wise legislation" The gold standard
has been. and is now doing. just what
Lincoln deprecated in the following
words:
when $100,000,000 or more of the
circulation we now have, shall be with
drawn. who can contemplate. without
terror. the distress. ruin, bankruptcy
and beggary that must follow? The
man who has purchased an article-say
a horse-on credit, at 500, when there
are $20o,o00.ooo circulating in the coun-
try. if the quantity be reduced to $780,
100000, by the arrival of pay day will
(other conditions remaining the same)
find the horse but sufficient to pay half
the debt, and the other half must be
either paid out of his other means and
thereby become a clear loss to him. or
go unpaid, and thereby become clear
loss to his creditor. What l have here
said of a single case of debt existing at
the time reduction in the quantity &C.
ours. will hold good in every case of
debt. no matter by whomsoever and for
whatsoever the currency may have been