The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1906-09-08

sibly have. No economic advantage can
justify an industrial despOtism. or COM
| pensate a nation for the loss of independ-
; ence among Its producers. Political lib
} erty could not long endure under an in
: duStrial system which permitted a few
powerful magnates to control the means
] OF iIveiincod of the rest of the people.
Landlordism, the curse of Europe. Is an
innocent institution in comparison with
logical conclusion. The man who argues
that there is an economic advantage In
private monopoly is aiding socialism.
Socialism and Democracy.
A socialist, asserting the economic su-
periority of the monopoly. insists that its
benefits shall accrue to the whole people.
and his conclusion cannot be denied II the
superiority of monopoly Is admitted. The
democratic party, If l understand its posi-
J ton, denies the economic as well as the
political advantage of the private monop-
oily. and promises to oppose it wherever 1t
manifests itself. 1t offers, as an alterna-
tive, competition where competition is
circumstances are such as to prevent
competition. Socialism presents a consist
ent theory, but a theory which, in my
judgment, does not take human nature
into account. It's strength is In its at
tacks upon evils. the existence of which
is confessed. Its weakness is that it
would substitute a new disease-if not a
worse one-for the disease from which we
suffer. The socialist is honest in the be-
ne1 that ne mas round a remedy Tor hui
man ills: and he must answered with
argument, not with abuse The best way
to oppOs socialism is to remedy the
abuses which have grown up under indi-
vidualism, but which are not q Necessary
part OF individualism. and the sooner the
remedy is applied the better AS I was
leaving home l set forth my reasons fX
opposing the socialist doctrine that the
government should own and operate all
the means of production and transporta-
ton; my observations during the past
year have strengthened my convictions on
that subject. Because l am anxious to
| preserve individualism. l am earnest in
| nv desire TO see the Trusts pYfprminafod
root and branch, that the door of Oppor-
tunity may be open to every American
citizen.
Federal Expenditures
On another occasion 1 shall call atten-
tion to the rapidly growing expenditures
of the federal government. 1t is nc-1ral
that those who look upon the taxation az
a blessing should view overgrown appro-
priations with competency, yet even the
desire to find ways of spending tie reve-
nues brought into the treasury by a high
tariff cannot wholly account for the reck-
less extravaganza of recent congresses.
Democracy Offers a Solution.
But at this time l desire to center
your thoughts upon the overshadowing
evil of the day-the trust-with it's plu-
from. 1t demands a remedy, and the
people are prepared to administer heroic
reatment. The democratic party Of
fers a solution. which is both reasonable
and ~adeauate-a solution in which time
hon9red principles are applied to new
the enemy of property or of property
rights-it is on the contrary, the best de-
fender of human rights-best defender Of
and human rights are the only foundation
upon which property and property rights
can rest securely. The democratic party
does not menace a single dollar legiti-
mately accumulated; on the contrary IL
insists upon the protection of rich and
poor alike in the enjoyment of that which
they have honestly earned. The demo-
cratic party does no. discourage thrift.
but on the contrary, stimulates each in
Ni1l1 z n tho inhno
surfing him that he will not be deprived
of the fruits of his toll. If we can repeal
the laws which enable men to reap where
they have not sown-laws which enable
them to garner into their overlooking
barns the harvests that belong to others
no one will be able to accumulate
enough to make his fortune dangerous to
the country. Special privilege and the
use of the taxing power for private gain
plutOcracy rests. To take away these
to elevate the beneficiariees Of
special legislation to the path of honest
effort ought to be the purpose Of our
party.
Those Who VIII Be Injured.
Who can suffer injury by just taxation,
laws, and the application OF
the Jeffersonian doctrine of equal tights
to all and special privileges to none? Only
those whose accumulations are stained
with dishonesty. and whose immoral
methods have given them a distorted view
Of business, society and government. Ac-
emulation by conscious fraud more
money than they can prOfitably use upon
wisely distribute, or safely
to their children. these denounce
as public enemies all who question their
methods or throw a light upon their
PIutocracy Abhorrent.
Plutocracy is abhorrent to a republic; it
is more despotic than monarchy, more
than ariStocracy, more selfish
bureaucracy. 1t preys upon the
nation in time of peace and conspires
against it in the hour of its calamity.
Constituencies, compassiOnless and devoid
If wisdom, it e~nervates its votaries while
t impoverishes its victims 1t is already
;apping the strength of the nation, vuI-
5arizfng social life, and making a mOckery
II morals The time is ripe for its over
brow. Let US attack 1t boldly. making
,ur appeal to the awakened conscience OF
he natiOn-in the name Of the counting
Dom which it has defiled; in the name Of
business honor, which it has sullied; in
he name of the people whom it has OPP
in the name Of the homes which
t has despoiled. and in the name of relig-
on, upon which it has placed the stigma
I hypocrisy.
His New Battle Hymn.
And. if 1 may be permitted to suggest
battle hymn, l propose a stanza, but
lightly changed, from one of the strong
st poems Of Scotland's great democratic
ard:
My dear. my native soil!
For whom my WarmeS wish to Heaven
is sent,
.ong may thy hardy sons of rustic toll
Be blest with health and peace, and
sweet content.
md, o, may Heaven their simple lives
prevent
From luxury's contagion, weak and vile
hen, though unearned wealth to wicked
ness be lent,
A virtuous populace may rise and stand
/. wall of fire around their much-loved
land.