The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-07-14

Americas steeds Of steel, and the rib
bons of rust that bind the decaying
empire Of China were made in the
forge Of American industry.
Capturing Foreign Markets.
We have not only taken q prominent
part in capturing the markets OF the
world, but we have done our fair share
in looking after the worlds work.
I'VE have taken a seat in the council
chamber of nations and are recognized
as a world power by the nations Of
the world. We have planted our out
posts in the Pacific and have assumed
the duty and responsibility of the
Philippines. No matter what our in
div1dual opinion may be regarding the
desirability Of having. them as pos
sessions, suffice 1t to say that we got
them through the vicissitudes OF 'our
war with Spain and we have got to
keep them. We cannot throw them
of and wash our hands of all respon-
sibility. We cannot in justice and hui
manity turn the fate Of the islands
over to warning factions OF pagans
and cannibals, neither can we let them
go into the hands of any of the other
powers to disturb the balance Of pow
er there.
It is the duty Of the Republic to
continue on in its course until the
last vestige Of armed resistance to
constituted authority has disappeared.
Then to take up the question Of the
government of the islands and to go
treat them that they may have the
largest measure of self government
consistent with the rights Of our citi-
zens settled there. -
Industrial Liberty Next.
While we have done so much OF
which we are justly entitled to be
proud there is much more that we have
failed to accomplish. We have gath
cred here to celebrate our civil and
religious liberty secured to us by the
toll, the struggle and the sacrifice Of
our fathers, but 1t remains for US to
secure our freedom from the slavery Of
the commercialism Of the age. I
should be remiss in my duty as speak,
er on this occasion If I failed to call
your attention to the great questions
affecting the people of today. The
great accumulation in wealth in the
hands of few of our citizens is g.
menace to the prosperity and happi-
ness of the whole. The: trusts and
combinations are fast getting hold Of
"a 80
unless restrained by wise laws and
proper policies they will soon be our
masters and we their slaves:
What Our Fathers Did.
Our fathers went to war and
fought the battles of the Revolutio
and gained our independence from the
mother country because she sought to
enforce the principle Of taxation with
out representation Resistance to that
doctrine was the highest form Of pa
tr1ot1sm. The attempt to enforce it
justified revolution, and its successful
overthrow was the occasion of the es-
Establishment of this republic A re,
public based on the doctrine of. the
equality of man! A. republic where
every citizen has a voice and a vote
In the affairs of the State and where
! everyone has the right Of representa-
ton. Resistance to that doctrine* is
just as much a sacred duty now as: 1t
was then.
This same. principle comes UP again
IN different form. The taxing power
| Is not foreign but a domestic foe.
\ The question Is whether under the
| constitution and laws. Of the land the
great trusts and combine shall be per-
mitted to get control of commodities
and raise the price of. products above
the general price level, and thereby fill
their Golfers out of the pockets Of the
consumers. This is the most vicious
system of taxation known to the his
| tory of man.
| Trusts Tax Us Heavily.
The Increased prices of trust made
and trust controlled products Is cost
ing the people more every day in the
United States than all of the taxes
demanded by King George from the
colonists in a whole year and nothing
is done about it. This is because OF the
lns1dious nature of the methods en-
! ployed. If foreign country should
demand half the tribute that the trusts
exact from the people congress would
declare war within TWEEN ty-four hours.
Not only are the prices of commodf-
ties too high but transportation charR-
| es are excessive We believe that the
| great transportation lines that span
this continent are highways of trade
and commerce and that they lose their
character as private property and be-
| come invested with the character of
public property. That the government
has right to have a supervisory con-
troll over their management and to
regulate. the rates charged within rea-
sonable limits. That these highways
shall be open to the public at all times
and on even terms; that there cannot
be- private monopoly of the carrying
trade ON the public highways of a ma
ton. That it is the duty of congress
to legislate on the great questions af,
fecting the people so that they may be
relieved from oppressive conditions
and that equal opportunity may be
given to all.