The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-21
BLAST FROM Villas. |
cleveland's Old Secretary Discusses
National Issues.
"wRoNG y PERIL OF PROTECTION
War Record OF Three Years Past
Condemned-A Chance for
Wi Democracy.

Milwaukee, July 21.-William F.. Villas,
who was secretary of the interior in Presi-
dent Cleveland's cabinet, was recently
asked by A. +. Warden, chairman OF the
democratic state central committee, to
give his opinion respecting political con-
ditions, the possibilities of democratic
harmony, "and the assurances Of the
party's restoration to power and the re-
lief of the people from republican malad-
ministration." Mr.. Villas replied to-day
In part as follows: ,.# -
Under the false and deceitful name OF pro-
lection to industry, there has arisen such a
system of combining devices of legislation
with devices OF business management to OBJ
tain mastery of the people as was never be-
fcre seen in this or any other land; the in
tquity Of which 1t would be hard to find any
parallel for. unless In oriental despotisms.
At the pace the movement has attained, it
can be but few years, If 1t go unchecked, be-
fore substantially the entire range of manu-
facture, mining, trade and transportation,
will stand composed OF few masters and
millions of employees the latter constrained to
trade only at what may be called practically
company stores: and all agriculture will
be helplessly ensnared, as it already Is to- no
small extent. Liberty in the pursuit of live
lihood will we'll nigh have disappeared. for,
with the devices of our modern invention, 1t
is unnecessary longer to manacle the con-
demned with ball and chain.
Democracy and Socialism. =:
We have recently heard much discussion
of trusts, learnedly profound, sometimes,
with phrases which mean little to the or
dinary reader; possibly to no other. The
necessity for aggregating wealth to accom-
plish great ends is also expounded, and the
heresy Of socialism denounced. It Is all wide
of our mark. There is no heartier antagon-
ism to socialism, and Its twin, paternalism, in
every form, than democratic principles de-
mand, opposing line by line every doctrine
Of that false philosophy.
The democratic creed afdrms, mot the sur
render, but the highest uplifting OF individ-
uality, and OF every right of the individual
man; particularly his right to hold and en-
JOY all the honest fruits of industry, brains
and personal achievements.
Bogie Of Protection. -
Few disinterested men Of intelligence, in
whatever party, but have como to feel the
wrong and peril OF protection, In greater or
less degree. Yet how little is Its grasp upon
our government comprehended! It matters
not what the form OF spolation, whenever
an ally of force can be gained, protection
rallies to the aid of the spoiler, and its
strength lies In the union Of all such inter-
ests. 1t is the conspiracy OF conspiracies, the
trust of all trusts, the grand council OF all
public 5obbery which goes on large scale.
1t abhors small speculation only. ..E
And the remedy is as plain as the iniquity
is monstrous. -.
The people must aim their stroke at the
root Of the poisonous tree. It. is Idle 80 COM
plain Of mere incidents, to merely attack par
ticular evils, to begin lawsuits against some
special conspiracy. The policy Of the Illus
trious Grant, whose objective was not the
capture OF towns or the subjugation of dis
tricts, but the destruction of the armies of
secession, must be ours in the impending con-
fict.
The contest cannot longer be postponed but
with the utmost peril to the rights Of fsouf
countrymen. Though master now, protection
knows its danger, and Is vigilant to secure
every element OF strength.
The democratic party,in all It's great career,
never had a grander opportunity OF public
usefulness. It is doubly Inviting because not
only will the highest sentiments Of public
right and justice inspire the battle, but the
conflict will be magnificent In proportions
and the victory splendid in its fruit. :.
Beers and Filipinos- H
In pitiful contrast. also. With our spirited
past, has been our silent witness OF the
agonies of q brave and devoted race in their
dence. Whittier has vanished that noble
sympathy which ever swept our hearts for the
rights OF man, achieved for us by heroic
ancestors? Why could not our voices rise
again iE the cause OF freedom! Aias!
America has Joined the oppressor's side, to
feed the hunger for spoil of our special
classes; "entangling alliances" had entan-
gled our conscience, and the nausea OF con-
scious shame stifed the cry that should have
reached the skies. How could we shout for
humanity and freedom in Africa while we
drowned with the water cure'' the cries for
liberty OF 10, 0,000,0 900 fellow men we had bought
with a price In the islands OF the eastern
seas? ..., .. -.
Ii Is painful record we have written on
the pages Of three years past for Americans
who look to Washington, Jefferson, Madison.
the Adamses and their compeers of the dec
laration and the constitution. for the rules
Of national conduct that should enlighten the
world with the lore and truth OF liberty.
And that stain must yet be wiped off by fu-
ture treatment Of the unhappy Filipinos 40
cordfng the principles we have Inherited,
or, SO surely as justice rules the world,
America will bitterly atone for 1t IN result
ant suffering OF her own. ..-z e
The swiftly increasing extravaganza in
public expenditures cannot but also excite
our apprehension. It is a concomitant OF
protection always which thus makes allies
at public cost, adding to a seeming need OF
taxation, for through tax laws its snares are
commonly set .L~ ~~ z
Mr., villas closes by condemning the last
state legislature tor creating the tax
commission and entering upon other PRO
fessed reforms" In none OF which ne can
see good. -.~ .s...s,.