The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-23

Lincoln, NED, Jan. -S.-Ine nfSt hunpcf
OF "The Commoner." the weekly paper
published by William ]. Bryan, was is
sued this afternoon. 1t is a neat-appear-
ing sheet. geographically. The following
is the salutatory:
THE CoMMoNER.
Webster defines commoner as "one
OF the common people" The name has
been selected for this paper because The
Commoner will endeavor to aid the COM
mon people in the protection of their
rights, the advancement of their interests
and the realization of their aspirations. 1t
is not necessary TO apologize for the use
OF term which distinguishes the great
body OF the population from the COM
paratively few, who, for one reason or
another. withdrew themselves from sym
pathetic connection with their fellows.
Among the Greeks "hoi Polloi' was
used to describe the many, while among
the Romans the word ''plebs" was en-
ployed for the same purpose. These APP
pellations, like ''the common people,"
have been assumed with pride by those
to whom they were applied, while they
have been used as terms of reproach by
those who counted themselves among the
aristocratic classes.
growing tendency in some quarters to de-
nounce as demagogic any reference to, or
praise of. the common people. one edi-
tor in late issue OF his paper takes ex-
ception to the phrase and says: This ex-
preston is an I'll chosen one and should
have no lodgment In the vocabulary OF
an American patriot and statesman. IL
We sought it's origin, We would look for II
in that specious demagogy which has
evolved the professional politician, array
ed country against town-the farmer and
his sons and daughters against the busl-
ness and professional men and their sons
and daughters-capital against labor, and
built up against neighbors the impreg-
nable barriers of prejudice and hate. This
quotation is reproduced because IL fair
ly represents the views OF those who cri-
ticise the expression. 1t has, however,
an eminently respectable origin. In tho
same chapter I'm which Christ condensed
mans duty TO his fellows into the com
mandment: Thou shalt love thy neigh
Dor as thyself; in the same chapter in
which he denounced those who devour
widows houses and for a pretence make
long prayers-in this same chapter IL is
said OF him: The common people heard
him gladly. No higher compliment was
ever paid to any class.
The term. the common people, Is prop
erly used TO describe the large majority
OF inc peOple-tnOSe VINO earn their uV-
ing and give 10 society "A fair return for
the benefits bestowed by society--those
who. I'm their daily lives. recognize tho
tics which bind together the mass OF the
people who have a common lot and a
common hope. Sometimes they are called
"the middle classes" because paupers and
criminals are excluded on the one hand.
while on the other hand some exclude
themselves because OF wealth OF position
or pride OF birth.
The common people from the indus
trious. intelligent and patriotic element
NJ our population: they produce the ma
tion's wealth In time of peace and fight
the nations battles In time of war
They are self-reliant and independent:
ask Of government nothing but Justice
and will not he satisfied with less They
are not seeking To- get their hands into
other peoples pockets. but are content
n they can keep other peoples hands
ont Of their pockets
The common people do not constitute
an exclusive society-thoy are not of the
four hundred anyone can become n
member N he is willing 20 contribute by
-hralu-nr-m -muzcla- 10 the -naLinn.S str1rath
ani greatness. only those ate barred
and they are barred by their own choice
who imarine themselves made of a
superior kind of clar aud who deny the
equality OF all bcfor, fhc Law,
rich man. who has honestly acquired
his wealth and who Is not afraid 10 In
trust its care 10 laws made by his fell
lows. can count himself among the CON-