The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-09

bill of rights as antiquated supersti-
lions. 1t is restless and impatient I'M
der the restraints of the constitution;
hostile and disobedient to the COM
mands of the, constitution, and it is con-
stantly and persistently resolved to do
the things that are forbidden by the
constitution. 1t views with Indifference
and ScOrn the provisions of what it
considers an effete, exhausted and i'm
practical instrument, even as the kings
and rOyalistS of England viewed the
magma charta and the bill of rights.
The Republican party of today is pO-
litically and doctrinally the successor
of the royalists and monarchists of
England and the world.
We are told that the financial ques-
ton is dead, but the financial question
can never die while the constitution
lives For while that sacred instrument
points the way to just legislation in the
interest of the people and to the con-
fusion and overthrow of their enemies.
they will not fail to avail themselves of
its provisions, nor cease to battle for
the restoration of their ancient rights.
Gigantic combinations of capital have
seized the great martS and control the
markets of the whole country. Every
staple article of general use among the
people is monOpoliZed and its prices
fixed by the arbitrary will of a handful
of men. The farmers, by reason of their
numbers and wide dispersion, being I'M
able to act in concert, are met at the
city gates by combinations of purchaS-
6IS, WHO without competition. ire
prices of all products and compel the
farmers to accept such prices as they
see fit to offer.
Day by day the number of the pro-
prietors of business and industry grows
smaller and smaller, and the number of
wage earners larger and larger, and
unless this evil can be arrested, the
time is not far distant when the young
men of this country will be wholly ex-
cluded from the field of proprietorship
and doomed to lives of hireling servi-
tude.
We are told by a Republican attorney
general, and by the spokesman and
leader Of the Republican majority in
the lower house of congress, and very
generally by orators and newspapers
of that faith. that the government of
the United States is powerless to legiS-
late upon the subject of this vast evil
which threatens, not only the peace,
safety and prosperity, but the very life
of the nation.
The constitution empowers congress
to collect taxes, duties, impOSts and ex-
cises. A Democratic congress enacted
a moderate income tax. Such legisla-
ton had been sustained as to it's con-
stitutionality by the supreme court OF
the United States A Republican su-
preme court, however held the income
tax law unconstitutional.
Arouse the people to the necessity of
educating themselves in the true prin-
cipleS of free government. Create a
public sentiment which will coerce Of
fetal respect for and obedience to the
constitution and the laws, and punish
official disobedience with an unspari&g
hand. Lift on high the ancient stand
ard of liberty, the standard of Jefferson,
of Jackson, of Bryan.
Then up with the banner of hope,
Down, down with the letters of fear;
May the spirit of valor and man
hood arise,
And the faith that and the will that
defieS
And sublime as the angel that rules in
the sun,
Shines the promise of peace when the
conflict is done.'
RRYAN'S DATES.
Mr.. Bryan announced the following
dates for his eastern trip:
January 1O-Democratic banquet,
Minneapolis.
January 16-Lecture, ST Louis.
January 17--Democratic mass meet
ing, Cincinnati.
January 2O-Bryan meeting, Balti-
more.
January 27-Gridiron club, Washing
ton.
January 30-At Boston.
January 31-At Portland, Me.
February AT Concord, N. H.
February AT Montpelier, VT.
a New Haven meeting also is con-
templated.