Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-27
WEALTH IS SAFE ONLY IN RIGHT
CONDUCT.

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all intelligent men ought to see: yet
While many possessors of wealth are
wise enough to see and understand 1t,
and others are good enough to do right
anyhow. aggregate wealth is welded
as a club, to menace and intimidate
men. or to iSnure, despoil and coerce
them. Whether it be its nature to op-
press and wrong. as so many believe,
or whether it be instigated thereto by
it's fears of attack, it is certain that
aggregate wealth in this country. as
directed since the war between the
cradle aggression that would be sheer
madness but for the method in it. That
method, apparently. is to gain every
coign of vantage, in public affairs and
private business, to hold it, at all
hazards, not only for defense, but Of
tense.
Right conduct Is forgotten, or con-
sidered unavailing and unequal to the
situation. Some pretenses are kept up
of peace and fair-dealing toward the
public. but in fact and effect money,
its equivalents, allies and subjects, are
engaged in active war upon the people
and their interests: and, if here and
there good or wise men are acting
justly toward their fellow-citizens and
the general welfare with their riches.
they are impotent to stem the tide of
injustice, and serve only to emphasize
1t, while they are quoted and cited as
examples that disprove the charges of
hostility. But these examples of right
conduct really prove how unnecessary
and unjustfiable are the proceedings in
Congress and elsewhere to subvcrt
everything and everybody to money
and its pnssessnrs, and they also show
how wealth can be employed for the
public good and the general welfare, as
we'll as its own, without resorting to
unworthy schemes OF eXtortion or plum
der by brute force or cunning fraud.
Wealth. considered in itself, is but a
means or mower, and may be good or
evil as 1t is employed and directed; but.
like any other power that may usurp
or invade public prerogatives or pri-
vate rights. it becomes dangerous when
grown too great. and is apt to debauch
its holders and all within the sphere
of its Influence; and when combined in
trusts TO control business and enter
prise. or industry, or consolidated in
alliances or associations to control pol
late every right and equity that may
obstruct its aims with destruction to all
competing claims or interests, if 1t
thinks 1t may do SO with impunity.
This is the main characteristic of all
inordinate or unlimited power, and is
no regularity or special vice of
wealth.
That the power and control of wealth
has grown too great is steadily and
rapidly increasing and should be
checked and diminished. 1t is not the
wealthy individual that is to be feared,
for he has q conscience and reputation,
and he feels his personal responsibility
to God and man; but the trust, or com
to affect our private concerns or pub
lie policies, has no conscience cares
nothing for reputation and mocks at
responsibilities Of every kind 1t is
nonsense to say that it will do right or
that natural and other cares will con-
strain 1t to do right. 1t is monster,
and VIII act accordingly.
Is 1t only by its power in overbearing
and crushing others that wealth hopes
to sustain and protect itself? Is it only
by growing in power and riches. by an
aggressive and encroachns polcy-by
becoming the ruthless tyrant of man
kind-that it can save Itself from
the communists anu socialists? Then.
indeed, Is wealth doomed by its own
guilt and folly. Communism and So
cialism have few advocates of any sort
in this country, and hardly any respect
able ones: but IL CAPITALISTS, banks,
bondholders, trusts and other masters
and minions of wealth do not mend
their ways, as disclosed by their agents.
organs and advocates. in the press. the
forum. Congress, legislatures, courts,
and administrations. they will drive all
other men into communism, or social
ism of some form. in self-defense of
their liberties. their interests and all
the rights they hold dearer than life
In that tremendous day of wrath, moth
ing will be capable OF withstanding the
fury of men driven to bay and the re
lsponsibillty will be on the insolent ag-