Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1902-09-10
a RemarIkab!e ..EfoId BE-,

I
The citizens of the United States
are now estimated to number almost
sc, 900, 600, and they believe them
selves the most intelligent, progress
sive, liberty-loving and enjoying
people of earth. They also believe
themselves. to be so pre-eminent in
their ability TO govern themselves,
and 10 wisely mold their laws and in
situations, that the Almighty has
made them His agent on earth for
extending their principle of self-goy-
eminent, and their wise and benc-
ficienb laws and institutions. Yet
incredible fact, this incomprehensi-
BILE mass of such grandly endowed
people are now in fever of apprehen-
sion, doubt and fear regarding their
fuel supply for next winter, or that
its price will be SO high, even it the
supply is adequate, that it will inflict
hardship and probably accute suffer-
ing upon countless thousands Of this
noble aud able people. And this dis
treSSful mental condition is produced
by about six men-six mere men out
of total of $4,000, 000-who control
enough of the coal fields of the coun-
try to produce the condition that is
feared, and all the railroads that can
transport the coal from mines to fire.
sides.
These men represent a monopoly Of
an inconceivably valuable natural re-
source, and if transportation facilities
that make the resource available
The first is gift of God to all His
children, the last a creation of the
people, but unfortunately placed in
the hands of few persons, under the
delusion that such an act was neceS-
sary. These men represent combi-
nation Of capital whose immensely
prehend it. Yet the chief if not the
sole cause of the present attitude OF
these men is their chief determine
tion that their miners shall not COM
bine for self protection as they them
selves have combined for plumber!
This Is the cause of the fever of the
80,000,O 900.
And whether paralyzed by the fever
or dazed by the monumental
assurance of the six, or from other
cause, the $4,000, 900 seem submissive
to an extent that confeSSeS abject
powerleSsneSS. The surrender without
protest of such a mass of 1.-THE best
people on earth" to so few men con-
trolling so much money is, to say the
least, likely to make the thoughtful
doubt the possession by the people of
the attributes they claim. If the
people were what they think they are
ere this they would have had the half
dozen hold-up artists SO terrified by
fear of loss Of control of their mines
and railroads that the scheme of
wholesale robbery now in contempla--
tion would have been abandoned
weeks ago. The spectacle of 80,OGO,-
600 people asking What can we do
about it?" when being held up by
half dozen free hooters makes the
claim that the people are exception
ally intelligent brave and Self-govern-
ing sarcasm of huge dimensions.
And furthermore it inspires these
questions: Is a people made so power
less and impotent when confronted
with such a problem as is suggested
herewith really equipped for handling
the much more intricate and difficult
problems of governing remote and
stranger people? Had they not better
take lessons in the science of self
government than assume to be teach
ers of the science? Would it not be
well for them to be more studious
and thoughtful and somewhat less
boastful?-Farm Stock and Home.