Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-25
MANHOOD OR PROPERTY.

Nlf1lNI1NOC YIN 1>NX LIN
iii fares the land, to Fastening Ills a
Where wealth accumulates, and men
decay"
It Is related of Abraham Lincoln, and
is much to his credit. that during the
last year Of his administration he con-
demned with great bitterness Of speech
the fact that Congress was "legislating
not for men, but for property" Sooner
or later. he said, that would destroy
the manhood of any nation upon
earth.
Let It be borne in mind, once for all,
that the Virglnlan-Pilot Is no Calamity
howler," no enemy of property or prop
erty owners: but general we'll wisher
OF the prosperity and happiness of the
country and all its people. whether ur-
ban or rural.
property-is we'll nigh the universal in
centive of the human race to energy
and industry. 1t ought to be so-elsc
there would be universal sloth and
stagnation of business. to be followed
by want and consequent suffering
Decry wealth. as the Socialists may
and do, yet every man would like to be
rich and Independent OF the toll and
anxiety that are always the burdens of
poverty. It is as plainly written as
anything can be, that everybody can
not be rich-else riches would be robbed
of all their fascination. Then the rich
man must be his own servant, when
none can be hired by his money to walt
upon him and do his bidding. If all are
rich. who will be the servant?
The poor we always have with us.
and always shall have. The great
question that confronts us is how to
promote a general diffusion OF pros
perity, SO that the few shall not be
nabobs the many in terrible straits and
poverty, with no hope OF changing their
condition.
or course the natural aptitude of men
is n great and almost a controlling
factor in the general result. What
government ought to be concerned
about is that all men have equal OPP
portunlty. When that Is accomplished.
government has fulfilled its mission in
that regard.
Is there no favored class under our
system, as administered of late? Prac-
tically speaking. is there any mere in
dlvidual who can venture into the
usual channels of trade and commerce.
and not feel that he is overshadowed
by some dominant influence that can
make bankrupt OF him In the twink
ling of an eye?
The political economists talk very
glibly of the law Of supply and de-
mand, which indeed ought to be an
universal law of trade. Is It such a
law? Do not the Trusts control the
supply and demand, and the consequent
prices of necessary commodities as alb
solutely as dcspots? Take illuminating
oils, for example,: The Standard Oil
chant who does not obey their dictates
can sell no oil at all. The retail grocer
no longer sets his own price on sugar
or tobacco, or flour; he must sell at a
price set for him by the Trusts, or very
soon he can buy none of the standard
brands to sell at any price. And this
is true OF iron and steel. and all the
thousand products of these essential
things. The candid merchant will tell
you so, and say that 1t is oppressive
and even cruel; but he will also tell
you that he cannot help himself or
you.
These are facts known and read of
all intelligent people. They have not
long been facts. yet too long!
Can there be any general prosperity
while such things be? Is there not a
remedy?
Bryan and the Democratic platform
promise relief. 1t is genuine Jeffer-
sonian doctrinc-the liberty of the in
dividuals unhampered by repressive
and destructive legislation.
Shall we make another brave fight
for principle-or shall we despair Of the
Republic?
Which course will you take?
@-- -
For seventy years the uniform and