Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-11-02
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1899.
GREATEST GOOD TO GREATEST
NUMBER.

NUMBER.
There was time when the old Demo-
cratic doctrine of ''the greatest good to the
greatest number" was sincerely held and
uttered by that party. 1t was and is a
splendid doctrine, and should still receive
the cordial endorsement of every citizen
who believes in popular or republican
Government. Occasionally we hear
modern Democrat enunciate the principle;
but with the new tangled Bryan Democ-
racv it does not have the true ring, because
it is inconsistent with the course and the
teachings of Organism. 1t should be the
desire ofevery good citizen to see govern
mental policy prevail that will, as nearly
as possible, promote the interests OF all
classes of citizens. That is what "the
greatest good to the greatest number
means. Any policy which tends to adj
vance the interests of any one class at the
expense of Others is in direct conflict With
its true meaning. How about the teach
ings and policies of Bryan? 1t will be
remembered that he appealed to certain
classes IN 1896, and tried to impress them
with the belief that their interests and
those of certain other classes were hostile
All the dissatisfied and discordant eie-
ments in the land we're lashed into fury
by the polished and selfish demagogue'
who made them believe that they were
being victimized. They were advised that
anv financial or economic policy that was
beneficial TO capital was necessarily de-
structive to labor. The Republicans de-
MED the truth Of the teachings of Mr.
BRYAN, and asserted with equal positive
ness that no legislation which was intend
ed TO promote the interest of capital could
do so, substantially, without advancing
the welfare of labor. The Republicans
also held, that protection and sound mon
ev.instead of being principles thatwere spe-
allv favorable to capital, were essential
to securing "the greatest good to the
greatest number"
Fortunately for the country Organism
was unsuccessfubin 1896, otherwise the dan
gerous experiments which he proposed
might have been tried; and all conserva-
tive men now shudder when they think OF
what dangers the country escaped.
But TO return to our subject, 'the
greatest good to the greatest number.
We take it for granted that all honest men
and patriotic citizens desire to see poll
cy in force that will produce that condi'
ton. If that be true, we ask in all earn
estness has not the policy of the Repubi
can party brought that kind of condition
iato existence? Was there ever a time in
the history of our government when all
cases and sections were enjoying such q
high degree of prosperity? 1t is now ad-
mitted by all we'll informed persons that
labor has never been as constantly and
proftably employed as at present. The
demand for labor is greater than the sup
ply, and wages have advanced largely. The
manufacturing industries of the country
are more active than they have ever been,
and declare they cannot fill the orders
they receive, because they are so large.
We find the agricultursts in similarly
happy situation. They make nothing
they cannot readily sell, and most of their
products bring excellent prices. We hear
no complaint from capital, though it is
admitted that rates ofinterest are low. Is
not this condition of ''the greatest good
to: the greatest NUMBER" Is it not the
condition that all parties and all statesmen
claim to be striving to secure for the coun
try? If the country has what it wants,
what it needs, what Is claimed to be the
highest aim of free government, what ne
cessity for a change? Is it not the duty
of every good citizen to turn his back up
on the calamity bowler and the political
agitator who tries to provoke dissatisfac.
ton with existing conditions?