The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-09-14
Politics and Business.

I 4 $50 . Z
The Republican party Is n business or
ganization and therefore deals largely
with materialism In this campaign as
in other campaigns Of the past, 1t ap-
peals to the greed and selfishness Of the
voters. It tells them that under Re-
publican rule the country is prosperous
ana that It would be poor business to
make change in the administration
Of public affairs because such change
might disturb business and check pros
perity.
1T Is a cunning plea. Say what we
may about patriotism and high ideals,
the main question with many peopic s
4 .'What shall We eat and what shall we
drink and where with all shall we be
Il clothed" This does not mean that such
men are necessarily sordid and base. II
a man has little business of his own
E upon which he is dependent for support
for himself and his family, naturally lie
is opposed to any political change which
may disturb the general condition andSso
impair his business. II n man Is work
ing on a salary and is dependent on his
pay for the means OF support for him
self and his family. naturally he is OPP
posed to any political change which may
throw him out OF work or at best re-
duce his wage. The Republican lead
+ ers know this characteristic of humanity
Il and play upon 1t, saying to the bust
ness man and the workingman that 1t
lit is dangerous to make n change in the
x administration when everything is mov->
ing along we'll in business circles.
#a The question Of morals in government
does not enter into the arguments of the
Republicans. President Roosevelt him
self treats the tariff question as a ques-
ton OF expediency, utterly ignoring the
moral principle involved, He casts aside
as unworthy of notice the fact that the
tariff schedules are made up by the rich
manufacturers who go TO Washington and
hob-nob with the Committee on Ways
and Means. He casts aside the question
that the tariff is n means OF government
by which a favored class is permitted to
levy q tax upon the whole people that
Il the profits of the favored class may be
Il Increased. lie casts aside the great prin-
ciple OF Democracy that 1t Is Infamous
for the government .to. use its taxing
power, for any patpose other than that
OF raising revenue and that 1t is in.
famous for the government to lend It's
aid to one class for the benefit Of that
class and to the 'dctriment of the whole
people, With great gusto he declares that
the manufacturing interests have been
built up by the tariff; that its continu-
ance Is necessary to their prosperity, and
that the prosperity Of tho manufacturing
class is necessary to the wei fare of the
& farmer. He appeals to the greed CT the
manufacturer and to the greed of the
A farmer. lie tells them that the best
government is that which makes for
material prosperity.
Material prosperity is sweet. There is
much to be said In favor of commercial
ism. II is commercialism that makes US
a rich and powerful nation. and enables
us to maintain our Institutions. But
there Is something better than CONNER
cial prosperity and the party which ig-
nores tho weightier matters and makes
It's appeal to the greed and self-interest
of humanity is party of corruption and
It is not worthy OF the support OF a
righteous people, We deny that 1t is
the main purpose Of government TO pro-
pnote material prosperity. The func-
tion OF government is to establish liberty,
to protect men in their individual rights,
to promote public morals and TO main
tain Justice, The government, has no right
10 aid or hinder men In the conduct OF
their business affairs. Its function Is
al 10 see that all men have an equal chance
= before the law and that each man has
the chance to work ont his own saliva
ton by his own brain ana Drawn This
plea of The Republican parry is base and
debasing. and IT is plea which We hope
the Democratic masses OF This country
will rebuke In the coming election.