Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1900-08-31
OLYMPIA WASHINGTON: FRIDAY EVENING, AUG. 3D. 1900

6"AShy tiC pdi ~ auuiCoSCu itoSiip anu
its history throughout that long strug-
gle was God.like. At this day it is at
once the benefactor and beneficiary
not indeed Of one trust, but of many
trusts, which, in greater or lees de-
gree, monopolize and withhold from
man nearly all of Gods gifts to him,
exacting an unearned and unmerited
tribute for their enjoyment, and usurp-
ing the constitutional power OF taxing
the people.
At the last sceeion OF Congress It
passed law which created a monop-
oily of the circulating medium of the
people, and so put into the hands Of
the few the most unconsciOnable weap-
on Of oppression over the industry,
the frugality and the thrift of the
country which human sagacity, backed
by INSCRIPTIONS power, could manipu-
late; and for thus bartering away the
rights of the producing and earning
masses it expects to be perpetuated
in power. This law it passed early
and easily. When the last days of the
session were here, at time when it
was known that no legislation could
pass for want of time for intelligent
debate, it proposed the farce of a con-
stitutional amendment which asked
the States simply to abdicate all coz
troll over their industrial creatures and
go out OF the governing business.
To this proposition all right of
amendment was denied. and upon its
merited defeat the purpose of deceiv-
ing the people was, if not avowed, at
least not denied. At the same time
an amendment to make effectual an
antitrust law already on the statute
book was not allowed to come to a
vote in the Senate; trust attorney
from a trust State was at the head Of
the Department of Justice, and trust
lawyers all over the country were ap.
pointed, charged with the duty Of pros.
ecuting trusts. The Philadelphia Con-
vention will loudly denounce trusts,
on paper: its campaign fund will be
replenished from their tolls from the
people, and its managers will guaran
tee them countenance and immunity.
In this respect also the Republican
Convention of 1856 was the exponent
of a policy the reverse of that which
the coming Convention will not in
deed endorse, but which it will take
care to see enforced.
The time was in the history of the
party when it chose its public SER
wants for their capacity, their integ-
rity, and their allegiance to principle.
Now deaginous mediocrity may fill
the highest position within its bestow-
al, and places may be sought and OBJ
tanned from the most sordid motives.
A purchased seat in the Senate is no
longer esteemed disgrace to the pur-
chaser, while the purchased are re-
warded with Federal appointments,
and he who is most astute in obstruct-
ing an investigation and in instruct
ing witnesses not to answer is intrust-
ed with the prosecution OF the COM
mon offenders whom want or misfor.
tune has impelled to crime. Hypoc-
risy masquerades as political virtue,
and platforms constitute only abor.
tive attempts to cover up the naked.
ness OF bad record with the fig leaves
of loud professions and fair promises,
coupled with swelling appeals to the
glorious lineage and historic past Of
the party.
To this forcible and eloquent in.
dictment, from a source so distin-
guished and authoritative, we need
add no further words of condemnation.
The Republican party of to-day stands
condemned not only by Ex-Governor
Edgerton but also by many Others o
those who were among its early cham.
pions.
In these days it is the independent
voter who is the political power in the
land, and it is to him that the nation
must look for salvation. There is nc
need that our inquirer should attach
himself to any party, and it may bt
better that he should not. Let hin
look carefully TO the present princi
pies of each party, and to its attitude
at this time towards great nationa
questions and dangers. And. above
all far more than professions and plat
forms, let him regard the candidates
for the Presidency, considering theil
political principles, associations, aims
and sympathies. He will find Presi
dent William Mckinley the exponent
and defender of all those things which
ex-Governor Edgerton, as here quoted
has condemned. And, on the Other
hand, he will find William ]. Bryan
the fearless, resolute, outspoken enemy
OF these evils, the friend of liberty ant
the oppressed, and the earnest, devoted
champion Of the rights of the people
as against trusts and monopolies o
every sort.
Japanese Love Of Nature.
The Japanese is born lover OF ma
ture. Whatever he produces, from thu