The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-08-03
THE EVILS OF THE IMPROPER
USE OF CONFEDERATE
MONEY.
EDITOR THE COMMONWEALTH

EDITOR THE CoMMoNwEALTI
4 wise Frenchman once said
"Monarchies are DESTROYED by poverty
and Republics by wealth."
If this be true has not our coun-
try serious cause for alarm when mon
ey is so congested that $4,000 persons
are estimated to control thlrty-one
billion five hundred million-an
amount which If divided equally with
our 20 millions population or our IA
million families, would give each fam
lily five thousand dollars? We are
often referred to as the wealthiest sys-
tenn of chrlstendom, yet with its un-
equal distribution are we not to large
extent the most miserable?
Mr.. Franklin Pierce of New York
very wisely observed
eve can be robbed by protective
tariff and live, but when the rohber
takes the money and buys special leg
lslation and turns it over to campaign
committees to buy votes with, the very
life of free government is assailed. Ma
tons do not go down to death in the
nolnentous sweep Of battle. They
rather die from the poison which the
lobbyist and the -vote-buyer in
ject into the body polltic.''
From 1851 to 1860 inclusive, under
a tariff for revenue only, the cost OF
government per capita for the ten
years was only $2l.SS. From 1871 to
1880 it had jumped to $780, and has
been increasing under the ubiquitous
system Of protection ever since.
II we can get the masses united and
awakened to the situation the next
ten years will show marvellous change
Mr.. Millionaire's schemes frustrated
and honest, industrious man given
lair show in the great struggle for ex-
lstence.-The people haye to be arous-
ed to the fact that any line OF party
politics Is a bad investment when it
Is robblng their families OF the neces-
stiles for their existence.
It is not that the poor envy the rich
tor their great aggregations. but object
to the methods through which they
obtained it.
If the Earth is the Lords and the
fullness thereof" and all mankind his
creatures, it IS reasonable to assume
that each should obtain his due pro-
portion, honestly acquired.
It is said of the trusts of our period
that they claim investment of seven
billion dollars, two thirds OF which is
water pure and simple which but in
tensifes the venality of it. But the
reader may exclaim we are perfectly
conversant with all these facts, but
where is your remedy? ! will answer
In the enlightened, unified deter
mined will of the people.
Under our system OF government
no aggregation of capital, no matter
how Immense, can destroy our liberties
if our people are unitedly determined
to avert it. Look at the good old State
OF North Carolina, slow but sure.
How quickly she threw of her shack
les when fully aroused as evidenced in
her late campaign. The will is the
potent factor in man when brought in
to vigorous exercise. The year 1900
will very probably be the turning
point IN our history, and if enslave-
ment ensues the people can only blame
themselves for their stupidity and IN
efficiency.
1t goes without saying, unfortunate
", all parties are more or lees corrupt,
but to my conception, after close anal
ysls, the Democratic party comes near
er the people than any other, and if
we can't prosper under its regime, then
Vale Vale to Republican system OF
governmental, fer, and by the peo-
pie. JNo. D. THoRNE.
Iitt!eton, n. G. July, 81, '99.