Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-17
WHAT JEFFERSON WOULD DO"
(By John P. Altgeldo

WHAT JEFFERSON MOULD Do"
(By John P. AltgeldO
Former Governor John P. Altgeld, of
Illinois. in his address before the AL
bany Bimetallic League on What JEFF
ferson Would Do" said in part:
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 hemple of humanity.
The effort to sc cure privilege and to
maintain private monopoly in city and
in nation is not only robbing us, but
rotting us down.
Finding the government such a
profitable asset, tn csc private monopo-
lists have taken pc session of it. They,
seek to control caucuses, conventions
and elections. They control legislation,
they own courts Il nd they dictate to
the President of the United States.
The functions Of government have
been perverted. and from being the
protector 1t is being made the despoller
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 jI-J, that bull
wark of liberty for which the English
speaking people have shed more blood
tHuIl LOT any Olncr tnlnS.
WE ARE FACING DESPOTIsM.
Although living in a republic and
having no need Of an army, the cor
porations of America are fostering IL
military establishment. and the bull
pens of Idaho show what is in store for
the toilers of America if this corrupt
rule of the syndicates is not arrested.
Once the Republican party stood for
| ILL.,
for humanity. But the finger of the
corporation has crasod every great
motto from It's banners. and to-day the
| great party of Loncoil sits meekly in
the market place and takes its instruc-
lions from the trust m;ignates of Amer
| lea,
CANT NOW AT A PREMIUM"
"Once 1t had conscience, now only
hunger; once it loved-liberty- NON it
worships the dollar; once 1t stood for
humanity. now only for plumber. Cant
is at premium and hypocrisy passes
for coin. The creed of King George has
become the platform of Mckinley and
Mark Hanna's dollar sign brooches has
become the flag Of the Republican
party.
Under these circumstances. 1T Is ma
tural for both Republicans and Demo-
Gratis to ask what would Jefferson do
If he we're here?
Here Is the key to Jefferson's mind:
here Is the cornerstone of his political
fabric, and the tombstone OF his po-
litical philosophy.
Leave everything to the people. sub
NIT all important matters to the peo-
Pile; the people can be trusted, they
may err, but they will right themselves.
I'm order to answer the question as
to what Jefferson would do If he were
here, let us see what was the bent of
his mind.
First. He was one OF the most rad
ical men. and was the most progressive
and aggressive politician and Statesman
OF that period. He was neutral in no.
thing, he never trimmed. he never
lodged. he never straddled. he never
asked whether a measure was popular
but whether 1t was just and etcrnally
right.
Second. He was never negative. but
always positive.
HE WOULD DEFEND LIBERTY.
Third. From his utterances 1t is clear
that he would impeach and drive into
eternal disgrace those judges who have
usurped the functions OF the legislative
and executive departments by estao-
fishing government by injunction.
Fourth. He would punish by proper
proceedings all those men who use the
military forces so as to violate the
rights of American citizens.
Fifth. He would coin both silver and
gold on like terms. He would denounce
the financial bill lately passed by Con-
gress as crime against free people.
Sixth. Jefferson would encourage the
Filipino people in establishing an indie
pendent government, and probably give
them such protection as we give the
South American REPUBLICS.
Seventh. He would send a message
of good will and moral support to the
two South African republics that are
now fighting for existence.
BUILD AN AMERICAN CANAL.
Eighth. He would connect the two
great oceans with canal. so as to
bring our western and eastern shores
closer together, and he would not get
on his knees in order to secure Eng.
lands permission for this enterprise.
Ninth. jefferson would establish the
principle of direct legislation. now call
ed the initiative and referendum.
Tenth. How about trusts? Jefferson
would abolish all monopoly. and ali
for he has told us. But how would he
do 1t? In my judgment there is only
one way, and that is to have the people
own and operate all necessary monopo-
lies, such as municipal utilities and
transportation. This done, most of the
others would Dissolve. There would be
no private monopoly in this country
Eleventh. Jefferson would establish