Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-08-22

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trusts By the money kings to control
production and prices. This transfer
nation has taken place 50 gradually
that it has been almost, imperceptlble
to the casual observer and average
business man, who is now writhing
and sweating under the present IN
natural Determinations in trade and
they do not yet fully realize the true
significance Of class legislation and
the present industrial craze for trusts
At no time in the history Of this
country have the natural conditions
Of trade and commerce been more fay-
orable for general prosperity than at
the present time; yet, owing to class
legislation and the existence Of trusts
and large moneyed combinations, as
sisted by our common carriers in cut
rates Of freight TO these trusts and
rich combinations this natural con-
dition Of what should be universal
prosperity, has been changed to sat
isfy the personal greed Of the few, by
shutting out the small dealer and
small capital.
Our nation is a race Of lihertyloy-
ing people and pride themselves that
they are free men; yet they continue
to vote for measures and party poll
cies which deprive them Of some Of
their natural rights. Little by little
we have been abridging our privilege
and quietly submitting to unlawful
determinations by our railroads, until
we have made 1t possible for trusts
and moneyed combinations 10 50 stlfle
competition that they are absolutely
enabled TO control production and
prices. We have absolutely arrived at
that stage when the problem we have
70 solve for III young men Just out Of
college, OF the man Of small capital
for himself, is no longer what business
avocation shall he select, but the
problem now is, where can he obtain
employment that be can earn living.
This unnatural condition, which Isl
the direct effect OF concentration Of
business industries and It's consequent
curtailment Of the avenues OF employ
ment, Is, / venture to say, the direct
cause to-day Ok more gambling, more
forgeries and breaches Of trust and
more suicides than from any other
cause.
The fact is, our political judges and
lawmakers have gone daft on the
subject Of protection and trusts and
have lost Lsight Of the fundamental.
GOd-given natural laws Of value Sup
ply and demand) and are wasting
their energies in trying to legislate
value and control production and
prices. We have been 50 gradually
quickening our pace that We are now
in a dead gall0p toward that condi-
ton, which so commonly exists In for
eign countries, where only two classes
are known, the a~ristocrat and the
peasant
God grant that this great and wise
people Of a great nation will not SO far
forget themselves, in their blindness
TO party afhliation and policies, as to
50 abridge the natural God1giyen
rights Of this liberty-loving people, as
to hold them in abject slavery to
trusts and large moneyed combina-
tions. II we are TO avoid 50 great a
calamity we must at once call a hault
and get back to fundamental princi-
pies Of economies. NGtaral supply and
demand. Natural distribution Of labor.
Natural n Of employment and
equal chances for all to engage in
this or that avocation, without fear
Of being forced out by the mighty
power Of trusts, moneyed combinations
and railroad determinations.
To correct the present evil existing
in our country, we simply ask the
voter Of this great commonwealth to
lay aside party prejudiees and anilia-
tons and calmly inform himself as TO
what are the natural laws OF trade and
value and determine how far our pres
ent system and policies abridge the
action Of these natural laws and then
apply the remedy by voting for
measures and policies which we feel
will correct the evil.
I, l believe that it will be generally
admitted that the following are some
Of the natural laws OF trade and value,
viz
First That whatever is produced
belongs 10 the producer.
; Second. That every man by inalien-
able right is free man; that he has
a right to vote as he pleases; 10 keep,
sell or give away any part or all OF the
products be produces or owns
Third That he has the right in
trading TO exercise that selishness
which prompts him 10 get the most
he a for his own products and 70
pay the least he must for the products
Of Others.
The foundation principle Of all
natural law Of trade and value Is the
freedom OF the individual.
Granting that the above principles
are true and fixed, then is Il not plain
10 be zen that We are undermining
the very foundation principle OF an
natural law In adhering TO protective
tariff laws and BY our policy In foster
ing trusts which are the natural prod
net Of protection? By sophistry In
argument the great law-making pow
ems have and continue 10 hoodaink
the voters Of this nation into voting
for such measures and policies under
the pretext Of fostering our infant In
dustries. Is Il these helpless infants
Of ours which to-day is causing such
uneasiHess IN France, Germany, Rus
slS, Italy and Austria. whose people
are fretting and discouraged under
the successful and overwhelming com
petition Of American products In their
own market and against which com
petition they are seriously contem-
plating a tariff Sallg Has our infant
grown 80 fat, rich and strong by being