The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-08-24
vexation, indifference, Apathy.

De the synonym for arrogance OF wealth
however acquired, and the assumption of
i certain set or class that they and their
affairs represent about all that is worth
as the United States, and
the center of business and civilization.
This purse-proud, arrogant feeling has
been fostered by three administrations of
the government that have been directed
and controlled by the financial class or
set which is known under the general
name of Wall street.
There appears a rude awakening rec
emily Of that class, and they are beginning
to realize that they may not be the center
of gravity, and the whole United States,
IL they have had the entire control of the
last three administrations and the national
treasury TO dip into whenever they chose.
A staff correspondent of one of the first
administration organs of the country,
whose business it is to note carefully and
report daily the barometer changes Of the
class referred to, makes an oninous report
of the signs in Wall street, from which
the following is taken
1T would be safe to say that that feel
ing of vexation or irritation is almost as
strong as any feeling of appathv or indif-
ference due to overcon6dence 1t is illus
trated by communications that have been
made 10 members of the National Repub-
lican Committee. One citizen who con
tributed handsomely to the Republican
compaign fund in 1896, because, as he
said, the issues named in the Chicago
platform had been suddenly raised and
were as plausible as they were dangerous
and INVOLVED concentrated and earnest
effort if they were not to prevail. Today
the country, he says. has had an exper-
fence of four years prosperity unprece-
dented in its history. He adds that the
people of the United States cannot now
be said to be unenlightened or to be with
out experience upon the questions in
yolved in the declaration of principles as
made by the two political parties. There
fore, if the majority of the people of the
United States, in view of the experience
of the past four years, prefer the Demo-
cratic party and Colonel Bryan to the
Republican party and President McKin
ley it will be because modern Democracy
is rapidly tending either toward Anarchy
or toward Socialism, and If that be true
this man asserts that he is ready to sell
out his possessions for what he can get
and join either the Anarchists or the So
cialists as his only hope of safety, but he
does not believe that he is called upon
this year to contribute any considerable
sum of money to take the American peo-
pie away from what he believes to be an
impending danger. This time he asserts
they go into the campaign with their eyes
open, and if the cry of the masses against
the classes is to prevail it perhaps might
as we'll prevail now as at any time.
He sent check to the National Com
mittee, as reported, but 1t was very SMALL
contribution in comparison with the one
he made in 1896. OF course, this COM
munication is extravagant, pessimistic,
and yet it illustrates certain feeling of
vexatioa or irritation that does prevail,
and may possibly be more difficult to
overcome than the feeling which is
described as indifference due to over
confidence
Please note feeling of vexation or
irritation" The dissatisfaction of the
unreasoning people with their teu and
fifteen cent daily fare when compared
with the grooming tables, loaded with
Injuries, Of the class who are irrltated at
the unreasonable people who refuse to
rejoice at the unparalleled prosperity the
Wall street class has enjoyed for the last
three or fouF years And this rich man
who complains Is SO irritated that he gave
but mere bagatelle TO Hanna's eeFfaR-
ton fund and has mind TO let the people
have their own way and go to their ruin,
while he joints the Anarchists or Social
lists for safety.
This is complete give away, and shows
that the anarchists of wealth" scent
the overthrow of their Belshazzar pros.
perity in November by the election of
Bryan.
But what is this socialism this man says
modern Democracy Is turning to? The
largest object lessons we have of il in
practice are the post Office and our public
schools. They are the most conspicuous
features of socialism TO which this man
above quoted thinks modern Democracy
is turning. Who is willing to tHrn over
the post Office 10 company of Wall street
millioraires to conduct in place of the
government management None would
favor such thing except the Wall street
millionaire
Suppose the sociai:stjc public school
system was abolished and education was
again relegated to subscription schools, as
it was a half-century ago and more. What
per cent ofthe present generation would
receive an education of the most primitive
kind? Seventy-fve per cent of the little
boys aud girls seen vending their way to
and from school. carrying satchels loaded
with books, would not be able 10 read
and write. Who would vote to turn these
two institutions over TO private ENTERPRISE
And yet these are purely socialistic In the
modern meaning of socialism.
If the railroads and telegraph were
placed under goveFnment direction in a
similar manner, the advantages to the
people at large would be as great in the
matter of travel. transportation and trans
mission Of information as they are by the
government post Office aud public school.
The people see very plainly that the
Wall street system which has guided and
controlled the three administrations Of
Harrison. Cleveland and Mckinley are