Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-24
TW ELVE PAGES
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY "a, 1859.
AN IMPERIUM IN IMPERIO.

"Paternal government" Is n very
black bugaboo with gentlemen who dis
like general laws for common benefit
and which in their provision or protec-
ton for the general welfare include all
classes and degrees. a little examna-
tion into the matter, however, discloses
two points that tend strongly to dis
credit all their protests and objections
against "paternal government" 1t Is
noticed. first, that ii is only where gov
eminent is impartial in providing de-
fences and benefits for all alike. that
1t is disparaged or denounced as "pater-
nal" whereas If it be partial in its priv
ileges, exemptions. projections, boun-
ties and other favors, as n step-fa Their
to his own children, 1t is neither char
RcteriZed as "paternal," nor as step
fatherly" government, but is lauded rs
wise just. necessary and patriotic
craftsmanship, directed to the encour-
ngement. development and promotion
OF our resources. industries and enter
prises. If this has never occurred to
one. let him look back or glance around
uid iic III SCI lIlsil l1lc point we call
attention to makes all the difference
between 'sagacious craftsmanship"
and "paternal government" There is
no difference ut ali in the Legislation or
administration save that: that it Is
"paternal" when impartial and for the
general welfare. and is the highest
craftsmanship" when partial and for
special benefit
No intelligent person can fail to see
that it is this difference and this alone
that males the distinction between the
two policies; nor can he fail to see Il
still more curious point, in this, that
while the government must not he pa
ternal' Gas explained). must not inter
fere With business" Gas also explained).
the very gentlemen who hold these
propositions to be vital TO trade insist
that they shall interfere with bust
ness and be as "paternal" as they
please. with no governmental checks or
restraints upon. that they shall estab-
]lsh monopolies in what they choose:
shall destroy competition; and place
labor and production, dealers and con-
within their power and under their sole
control. Now, pause and consider the
whole matter for yourself, and you Will
see that we but disclose the true in
wardness OF this new political economy
and craftsmanship of utter selfishness,
in all its unmixed and unlimited greed,
tyranny and cruelty.
1t will be observed, too, that no ex-
cuse or paliation for trusts has yc;
been invented Except that of power or
force) that is not in favor OF "patcrnal"
government even more strongly; for It
IS self-evident that If the arbitrary
powers exercised by trusts to establish
monopoly. abolish competition and
equalize prices, are good and proper.
then they should not be exercised by
an imperium in imperio (Which should
not be allowed to exist at alb, but by
the legitimate common government. by
all, in all. for all. In fact the whole
philosophy of the love and power of
money, now prevailing in this country.
II not all the world over is n most re-
markable melange of Inconsistencies
and oppositlons. Its pleas for free cap
ftal examined to the bottom, amount
to demand for the absolute dominion
OF the greatest capital over all men, all
things, and all other capital Of less
sum; its pretended soicitude for unre-
strained domestic trade is but for an
anarchy. in which the strongest Shall
be despot and the weakest be crushed