Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1899-03-25
The Peonle or the Trusts Z

The People or the trusts
The rapid formation Of trusts and the
combinations OF capital for the con-
troll of trade aud the wealth Of this
country, is exciting fear and comment
not alone from political Journals, bat
the commercial financial and ethical
as we'll.
But recently, the Advance, a church
journal, contained an article point
log out he danger, not likely, but in-
evitabe, to follow finally from such
capltallstc combinations, with the
people on one side and trusts on the
other, combating, one the for their
rights, the other for supremacy.
Com blnatiou has followed combin-
alton with such rapIdity, involving
millions aud billions, covering every
industry, with stock issued on tictit-
ious base with design OF wrinGing
interest on capital that has no exls-
tence from consuming tOilers, that
the question: is not left for the future,
but il already here for settlement. On
this subject the Columbus Post has
the following;
The question IL clearly before the
American people whether this shall be
a government by the people or by the
trusts. The events OF the past two
years in the industrial history OF the
United States, make IL clear that the
answer To the question cannot longer
be delayed. 1t is evident that the
antitrust laws are held in contempt
not only by the trusts but by the most
powerful OF those whose sworn duty
It is 10 enforce them. Day after day
new combinations OF capital are eff
fected for Illegal purposes; millions
OF dollars are increased by other mil
lions in the control OF those corpor-
poratIons, as a matter OF common oc-
curance, every branch Of trade feels
the blight OF monopoly, and today no
man engaged in business holds a guar
antee that his independence VIII
long endure. The trusts are tighten
ing their grasp every hoar, fostered
by the tact acquescence In their
nefariOus work manifested Ia the
White House, 10 the law department,
the general government and among
many OF the legal authorities OF the
several states. We have reached the
point OF imminent danger-when there
is law enough but criminal negli-
gence in the enforcement Of 10 and
corrupt connivance In its violations;
When bribery is in the air and un
limited means TO practice IL at the
command OF the ayaricious and un'
principled.
Lincoln said that this government
could not long endure half slave and
half free, aud II he were alive today
he would supplement that thought by
another declafidg that this govern
ment cannOt long endure with nine
tenJhs OF the people in the grip OF the
other tenth. Trade must become in
dependent, the avenues OF legitimate
commerce mast be open 20 all AMI in
diydual enterprise must be restored
70 It's rights. Otherwise revolution
which may lie both social and p0lit-
ical, and during the progress OF which
violence will take the place Of law.
The trusts are working their own
ruin as we'll as others. They are
adding daily 20 the store OF wrath
that is to come. In WORD, they are
playing with lire. The people will
prese ntly decide-whether they or the
trusts are 10 govern; and when that
decision is made, like all popular up
risings, II will settle the question
against the oppressors and 10 their
utter discontinue and sorrow,