The Van Buren press., 1900-01-06
Anti. Trust Movement.
To THE AMERICAN PEOPLE:

Upon the adjournment Of the con.
ference relating to Trusts, held 10
Chicago In September last under call
of the Civil Federation OF that city, a
number Of delegates to that conference
who were opposed to Trusts met together
with the View Of securing concerted
action on the part Of the enemies OF
private monopoly, appointed an execu'
tive committee, of which l.. l.. Lock
wood, president of the American Anti.
Trust League, Is chairman, and directed
said committee, through Its chairman.
to call, "a soon as practicable, "a National
Anti. Trust Conference for the purpose
of deciding upon an Anti. Trust policy
and permanently organizing an Anti
Trust movement. ..
Pursuant to this direction the said
committee does hereby make the follow
ing declaration and call:
We believe the criminal conspiracies
In restraint of trade commonly known
rs Trusts. which so alarmingly char
actarize the present times, are a menace
to liberty. They close the doors OF
business opportunity TO all but the rich
and powerful. They impoverish the
producer and consumer. They degrade
labor. They have seized upon the
avenues Of transportation and poisoned
the fountains Of public information,
They debauch the elective franchise.
They are public enemies. Unless they
are oyerthrown there will be established
In free America monied oligarchy on
the one hand and serfdom OF the masses
OF the people on the other. They must
be destroyed or free government IL lost.
The only power capable Of successfully
combating the tyranny Of these gigantic
capitalistic monopolies Is thea reused
and organised hosts Of the people to
whom the government and the country
rightfully belong and In whom all power
OF right inheres.
Our republic was born Of the love Of
liberty which IN 1879 impelled the fathers
IN rebel against the tyranny Of the
English monarch and the special privi.
leges Of the British aristocracy. and
which inspired them to pledge to the
cause OF human freedom their lives,
their fortunes and their sacred honor.
The same love Of liberty destroyed
the aristocratic institution Of slavery
= power once fortified In the courts and
sntrenched In the constitution. That
same spirit now will suffice TO overthrow
the new slavery aud tyranny OF the
Trusts.
In order TO restore the equal rights Of
tha people and deliver them from the
criminal despoliation Of these monopo.
listic combinations, II Ia Imperative that
che special privileges which created and
foster them be uprooted and forever
destroyed.
This herculeau task can only be &C.
complished by the organization OF the
lovers Of Freedom 10 every part Of the
republic and through the persistent and
determined efforts OF united people.
To this end q National Antitrust
Conference Ia hereby called to meet In
the city OF Chicago on the birthday OF
Abraham Lincoln, February 10, 1900.
Patriotic citizens from all states and
territories duly accredited and IN full
sympathy With tho objects above named,
and representatives OF known Antitrust
organizations, are invited 70 meet to.
Rether In said conference.
Applications TOR admission 10 said
conference should DO made 10 the
SECRETARY, Unity Building, Chicago. at
m early date, 40 credentials OF delegates
must be countersiSsss3 By tho chairman
OF the Executive Committee.
NJ. l.. LOCKWOOD, Chairman.
FRANKLIN H. WENTWORTH, Ssc'y,