The independent., 1903-04-30
ORGANIZED CAPITAL
Mr.. Plain Denies The Hight of organiza
tion Except IL be In Harmony With
Principles of Justice

Principles of Justice
Editor Independent: In the dis
cussion of the question of the rights
of any class, whether it be capital or
labor, one must take into considera-
tion the rights that are involved.
None will deny the right of any citi-
zen who is interested with his fell
low citizen in any business pursuit to
organize, unless the working of such
an organization is not in harmony
with the rights of every other citi-
zen. Ii an organized body Of certain
lines Of of business were 10 disregard
the right Of the consumer or user of
the output of such a combination,
then that organization would be det-
rimental, hence it would not be in
harmony with the idea of Justice to
all, privileges to none"
Government is not for the pur-
pose of exploiting the resources of
country, but its greatest duty is,
first, to make the citizen safe and
secure; next, to SO guard the natural
resources OF the country, that oppor-
tunities are open to all alike. The
ministered government is it's capacity
to adjust its workings so the burdens
will fall on all alike.
In previous article on govern
ments, their duties and their purposes,
we spoke of the citizen, distinguish
ing between government which had
ingrafted into it the paternalistic idea,
which is but an effort of the few to
enrich themselves, and that which
gives to all according to the prin-
ciples Of equity. In calling attention
to these principles, we wish to bring
to our fellow citizens the clear cut
idea, that governments are as good
as the people make them. And, in
proportion as the people realize the
fundamental principles, that are the
framework of a constitutional gov
ernment, in just that proportion will
they be able to discharge their whole
duty to their fellowman.
An ignorance of the equity of free
institutions, gives the legislative
thug, the political prostitute, a lati-
tude that is ripe with perfdy, and po-
litical rapine. In keeping the common
people ignorant, or by thWarting their
will, the minority can shift the fruits
OF labor into the hands of the few.
But should the people apply the prin-
ciples that are fundamental, there
could be no such a thing as the right
OF any set of citizens organizing, If
that organization is in it's workings
detrimental to the commOnweal.
How can we judge these questions
Which is right, capital or labor?
There must be some principles set up
as standard, before we can get our
bearing. The only principles which
we know are those that are funda-
mental to the rights of each and ev-
cry citizen: rights which mean that
each and every citizen must enjoy
life, liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness." If the principles of freedom
are to be our standard of measure
ment, there can possibly be no equity
in organized wealth as it is con-
Quoted today.
In bringing forth the principle of
liberty as the standard of equity, we
not only judge the question accord
ing to the highest standards, but ad-
just our reasoning to the great idea
that all men are created equal" In
fact we rejuvenate the maxim with
the idea that Justice to all, privileges
to none," will bring us civic virtue:
hence, will be the crucial test which
leads us away from the quagmires of
plutocratic perfidy.
In allowing the idea of discrimina-
tion to coil its Shiny tentacles around
our body polite, we gave the first
breath to the prostituting of justice,
for no other purpose than to foster
the, very rich at the expense of the
many. Discrimination is the harlot
which has raped justice, and left her
mangled body as a sweet morsel for
plutocratic vultures to feast and fat
ten upon.
No citizen who has any civic virtue
can defend such principles of politi-
cal piracy. 1t seems as though the
rich, the eru1ite, and those who have
a preconceived idea about the rights
of the learned, are the only ones who
can de.end such theory. Of course
that is easily explained they are the
benefciaries of such theory; but in
nearly all reforms the ultra-opulent
and erudite are always on the wrong
side The plutocratic theory which
has always been fathered by the err