Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-08-28

SUI VI lAlC lANlh6 lAeaS wv SSiN
brate the birth of one of the greatest
men known to the annals of freedom.
In law, in medicine, in science, in
government in war, in every field OF
human activity,the deeds of the mighty
dead light the path for today and point
the road for tomorrow.
Today the men of America who love
liberty and hate oppression, who love
justice and despise hypocrisy, look to
the shrine of Thomas Jefferson for
new hope and new courage.
The foundations of the republic are
shaking, and the affairs of liberty are
crumbling. Dirty fingers are laid on
the Goddess of Justice, and soiled
hands are pillaging the temple of hui
mainly.
The effort to secure privilege and to
maintain private monopoly in city ana
in nation is not only robbing us but
rotting us down.
In America enterprise has come to
mean exploitation, and patriotism has
become new name for plumber. Any
contingent will do,and one hemisphere
is as good as another SO long as the
government can be used for private
enrichment.
Finding the government such prof
liable asset, these private monopollsts
have taken possession of it. They
seek to control caucuses, conventions
and elections. They control legisla-
ton, they own courts, and they dictate
to the President of the United States.
Naturally, they select men with no
convictions to do their rear stair
work and betray the public, and they
have brought to the front race of
men who make deception their bust
ness and dupiicity their stock in trade.
The Creatures of Monopoly.
These men are mere creatures They
do not rise to the dignity Of politi-
clans, but have the impudence to sit in
chairs once occupied by statesmen.
Through this class of men the func-
TORS Of governmeht-!hhaye been per-
verted and from being the protector
it is being made the despoiler of the
people.
At the dictation of the combines, the
courts, which were intended to protect
the citizen in his rights, have been
used to strike down trial by jury, that
bulwark of liberty for which the Eng
lish speaking people have shed more
blood than for any other thing.
Although living in republic, yet in
stead of being governed by the people
and according to law, the corporations
have had established for their con-
venienoe, government by injunction,
and according to the whims or preju-
dice of an individual who acts as their
Zens at pleasure.
Although living in a republic and
having no need of an army, the corpo-
rations OF America are fostering a
military establishment and the bull
pens of Idaho, where thousands Of
American citizens were last summer
imprisoned by military authority fol
months without warrant, without in
dictment and without trial, merely be-
cause the governor of the state was
simp'y a convenience for the corpora,
tions. show what is in store for the
toilers of America if this corrupt rule
of the syndicates is not arrested.
For over one hundred years oul
country grew great and covered the
land with cities, railroads and shops
it protected life and property and pun
ished crime. During this time govern
ment by injunction was not heard of
and the use of the military as con
venience for corporations was no
thought of. But with the advent o
private monopoly, growing out OF tar
iff laws, growing out of franchises
growing out of special privileges, cam
race of manipulators and corruption
ists-not captains of industry, but ex
ploiters of the public, who trampl'
down the liberty of the citizen a
home and sheer at the idea of estab
fishing free institutions abroad.
The Decad. nee of Party.
Once the republican party stood TO
great principles. once it had a messag
for humanity once its leaders wer
men of conviction, once it believed i
the Declaration Of independence; bu
the finger of the corporation has erase
every great motto from it's banners
and today the great party Of Lincol
sits meekly in the market place an
takes its instructions from the trus
magnates of America.
Once it had conscience, now onl
hunger: once it loved liberty, now |
worships the dollar; once it stood TO
humanity, now only for plumber. Tim
changes, men degenerate and partie
rot Cant is at a premium and hypoc
risy passes for coin. The creed {
King George has become the platforl
of Mckinley and Mark Hanna's dolls
sign breeches have become the flag
the republican party.
Under these circumstances it is ma
ural for both republicans and DEM
Gratis to ask what would Jefferson do
he were here?
But there is special reason WI
democrats should ask this questio
because among some democrats the
seems to be a misconception of Jeffe
sons character.
Ihave heard men call themselves Je
fersonian democrats who were oppo
ed to every principle that the gre
Virginian advocated.
Who, then, was Jefferson? VIII
did he do, and what did he stand TO
A complete answer would fill mai
10 1,on ho o,t,, 10 v