The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-10
The People Rule.

. =
We have followed with keen interest
the reports In our news columns OF the
lectures which have been delivered dur
Ing the past week at Richmord College
by Dr.. John B. Clark on the problems of
trusts and labor organizations. DIR. Clark
gave a clear and concise statement Of the
situation, and in the main We corcur IN
his deductions and conclusions. If not
In the remedies which he proposes. But
argue as we may. In Its last analysis the
solution OF these problems, as of all
social ard sociological problems. rests
with the people themselves.
One Of tho most Significant OF all tho
wondrous sayings Of our Lord, when Ho
disciples: THE Kingdom Of God is within
you" If we, as people. have the
common sense, the courage and the
righteousness which are necessary to
self-goyernment. we shall eventually work
out all the problems which present them
selves to us as a democratic nation. a
government of the people, by the people,
for the people implies self-control on
the part of the individuals who compose
that government. This republic Was
founded upon tho principle of individual
ism, Individual responsibility. self-re-
lance and self-control. If we possess
these virtues as individuals and make
them our rule of conduct IL our indivi-
dual life, there will be no difficulty In
applying them collectively and In carry
Ing on a government which will protect
ard preserve the rights of the individuals.
prevent one man from trespassing upon
the rights Of another, or one class of men,
corporations, labor organizations. or what
not. from trespassng upor the rights OF
other classes, and yet foster and pro-
mote individual endeavor. Under such
government all men will not be equal
for all men We're not created equal, ard
we cannot change natural law by
lcgislation: but all men will have equal
rights and privileges and immunities.
equal rights and opportunities under the
law to buy and sell and get gain, to ac-
cumulate wealth and enjoy 1t.
If we. as a people, are capable, In the
broadcast sense of the term, of self-Gov-
eminent, we. as people, will always be
masters of the situation and will ems
ploy our government as a means to an
end; will make laws and execute them
in such a way as to promote the true
interests Of tho people, and give the
greatest good to the greatest number;
and will employ the officers Of govern
ment MS the servants OF the people to
do our will.
Nor will it be necessary underl such n
condition. TO rule with an iron hand and
to have n great army of officers and a
great army of soldiers to keep would-be
law-breakers in subsection. Public sem
tment Is more powerful than all the
powers of government. Tho shrewd man.
ayers of corporations who deal with the
public have already learned that 1t pays
to keep OIL the good side Of the people.
for they caEnot succeed without the
good will Of the people. The leaders Of
labor organizations have learned that
no combination which they make is
strong enough TO defy tho people, is
strong enough to succeed without right
collsness. 1t has become almost n maxim
with labor leaders that no strike can
suGceed unless 1t be q strike of justice,
which has the approval and sympathy OF
Tie public.
And so It is all summed UP in this, that
if We be Il righteous people, we shall
have righteous government.
1T may be. as DR.. Clark suggests, that
| democracy will fail just here, and thai
| 1t will be necessary by and by for tht
| government to take over the trusts tina
operate them and give employment to tn
people. But II that condition shall come
It will be not through the aggressiyenes
of the trusts and the labor organiza
tions, but through the weakness and sur
render OF the people themselves. Whel
We come 10 that pass, We must hang on
heads in shame and confess that We hay
| lost our cunning ;~that we are no longe
capable of self-government, and that W
must. as weaklings and hirelings, p,l
4 ourselves iEto voluntary servitude an,
choose king TO rule over us.
4 Observation-Disclosures