The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-09-09

Trust Mr.. Charles E. Russell takes
the rather pessimistic view that the
public is practically remediless because
of the inherent moral weakness of the
people themselves.
This pulicfst's major premise Is, that
the "basic feeling Of the country is al
| ready so depraved that it condones
the bargain by the politician Of i'm
munity for campaign subscriptions,
the distortion of fact by the newspa-
pers for Trust advertising, the cor
| ruption by the Special Interest of our
public officials, the subservience Of the
individual to partisan dictation .and
the temptation of illegitimate personal
gain. His minor premise may be sum-
| med up in the statement that in tthis
public apathy and degeneracy are to
be found the main bulwark of the
Trust" evil. From these premises he
draws conclusion that public opin-
ion thus contaminated and complacent
and which tolerates In office any man
that for any reason whatever makes
terms with lawbreakers" must be fun
damentally changed If we would solve
the Trust" question and obtain re-
lief from conditions and exactions that
are draining the life-blood of the ma
ton and imperilling democratic insti-
tutions.
We can readily share Mr.. Russells
conclusion without committing our
selves to the severe arraignment of
the general masses which is implied
in his premises.
Confidence in tho People.
That. the evils complained Of exist
Is unfortunately not open to denial.
That they are the product of the "ba-
sic feeling" of the country, in other
words that the general moral tone
and stamina of the people of the Unit
ed States are already SO hopelessly
low as to preclude relief, is quite an
other question. This view does not ap-
peal to me as either broad or compre-
hensive or as founded in fact. I have
great confidence in the ultimate NOR
ality as well as the ultimate intelli-
gence of the great body of the Amer
ican people.
If the scurvy leaders of the great
political parties barter the public well
fare for campaign subscriptions and
the trade remains unchallenged, it does
not follow that the rank and file are
to blame. First show that the rank
and file have fair and full opportunity
to express their will before you place
on them the stigma of the violation
Of trust. If newspapers become tbs
paid advocates Of predatory wealth,
why shoulder the responsibility upon
the people? The blow, 1t Is true, is
aimed at the peoples welfare: but rest
assured. in nine cases out Of ten, they
are aware of the duplicity and rate
their: recreant public c;jousnalsaaccord=
fngti the pub1fc servants 81 tie
people become the hirelings or the apol-
ogists for the Special Interest and thus
betray the confidence that has been
reposed in them, doubt not but that.
In their own good time-if they get
the chance, the people will administer
the merlted rebuke. Even IL the name
is legion of those who are the blind in
struments Of partisan dictation or the
weak or willing victims of personal
temptation, believe 1.-THE good sense
and the common honesty Of the ma
jority stands on the other side.
Give People Chance to Speak.
What we need Is not so much bet
ter men and women as BETTER AVE-
NUES OF EXPRESSION OF THE
POPULAR WILL. It is to the
body Of the people that we
must look for the final correct solu-
ton Of the great problems that con-
front us. 1t is the people, the great
average mass. that we must reach and
it is. their opinions and their mandates
ind
cord and, when so recorded, to carry
into effect.
In theory we are great democracy.
In practice we have drifted some and
must grow considerably to realize the
ideals. It is only now and then that
an aroused public opinion makes itself
felt and overcomes the ARTIFICIAL
barriers that hem it In. That it does
so, however, Is proof positive OF its
fundamental stability.
Do you suppose for a moment that
President Roosevelt could have CO.
creed the recalcitrant powerful ele-
ments Of his party into tactit acquies-
cence In his nomination but for the
fact that it was realized that he had
the people with him? And why were
the people with him but for the rea..
son that they had confidence in his
INTEGRITY OF PURPOSE? Why did
hundreds Of thousands of radical Demo-
Gratis vote for Roosevelt but for this
reason and the further important one
that they sought thereby to more en-
phatically express their condemnation
Of methods and principles that to them
were represented In the candidacy Of
Parker? Why did the people dis
criminate in Missouri, Massachusetts,
and Wisconsin but to give expression
to commendable aspiration and the
controlling desire for honest govern
ment?
Locally sound public opinion, on a
fair and equitable, yes a generous
basis, wrested the water and gas
plants from the death dealing and
corrupting private monopoly and has
protected the public management
against the 1nsidious and vicious at
tacks OF the Special Interest, while
municipal operation has made a rec
ord for efficiency and probity which,
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