Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-03
Open Evenings till 9 p. MI.

But, Notwithstanding the recruited
strength and better condition with
which the Democratic party approaches
the struggle. the campaign Of 1900 will
be the tiercest civil contest ever
waged for popular rule and common
opportunities in life against public
privilege, business monopoly and ac-
cumulated and associated wealth, al
ready entrenched in power, under un-
just and unequal laws, and In posses
sion OF most points OF advantage in
Federal. State and municipal govern
ment, including control of the cleo
ton machinery, conStabulary and po-
lice. The issues will not differ greatly
from those of '96. except in the greater
prominence of one over another and
the addition of some very grave qucs-
lions arising out OF the Spanish war
and the treaty of Paris. 1t may. how
ever, be truly said that the issue which
will oVershadow, If it does not actually
swallow up, all others will be that
which concerns The suppression of
trusts and the regulation-fee public
safety OF certain classes of great cor
poraItions. This issue is urgent, vital
It cannot fbe pushed aside to abide a
more convenient season for settlement.
1t Is upon us with all it's nortcntous
significance, fully understood. That
very material prosperity. upon which
our npponents rely to secure Il
thoughtless popular judgment I'm their
behalf, projects the trust question on
the public mind at the expense of all
others, because that prosperity is en-
couragtng the formation Of the trusts
and the extension of their fields of in
dustrial pilage. The trusts are garner
ing the fruits of the prosperity, and
every intelligent man sees that the day
Is not distant when no enterprise can
be carried on outside the trusts. when
those who wish 10 work must work
for the trusts, and when the trusts
will determine for themselves what pro-
portion of the profits of all the bust
ness of the United States shall go
into their Golfers, and what shall be
allowed to remain outside for the bare
support of the producing people.
This latter state of things Is very
American ncople are alarmed by what
has already happened, and by what is
in immediate prospect, as they never
were before by any industrial or COM
mercial development. They know
that industrial cnsIaVement means po-
litical enslavement. They have seen,
and still see, the combination or the
great Industrial and financial inter-
eSts for political purposes, and they
we'll understand that the final success
of the combination will produce the
government of a moneycd oligarchy,
displace the rule of the people, sub
vert our Republican institutions, and
put the powers of taxation and COM
mercial regulation in the hands OF
thoseSWho will use them solely for
their own ACKNOWLEDGMENT, subject TO
no Limitation other than that of the
people TO stand the drain. and vet
live. For this reason-becausc, in the
Judgment Of the writer, the people
are already startled by this stuacnt
dous foreshadowing OF Industrial and
consequent political slavery without
partisan leadership or agitation. the
trust Issue will. In large measure,
supersede those which would, otherwiss
demand attention. Indeed. In n Ger
tain sense, 1t comprehends them all.
since a5money oligarchy, representinm
the trusts, in control of the Federni
Government, would certainly MANAGE
taxation, finance and loans, limit coin-
,age, fix currency, arrange foreign
ALLIANCES and carve out our new tnrri