Ripley County democrat., 1910-09-30

owned them.
1t would seem that from the radical
changes that are being made in the
stand-pat membership in the House
and Senate that Mr.. Pinchot made a
diagnosis of present conditions which
is not far from correct
Public Conscience Awake.
There is evidently moral phase in
the present situation. II is more than
a question of dollars and cents. The
public intelligence, or the public con-
science, has been aroused. The con-
science of the people never sleeps,
but occasionally their intelligence be-
comes drowsy. When a question has
been advocated for years, public SEN
timent sometimes becomes Indifferent
or slothful. When, however, II realizes
that selfish comrades, intoxicated by
prolonged indulgence, are taking un-
due advantage of such Indifference,
they then turn with promptness and
firmness, and wreak their vengeance
on the offending parties.
When in such frame OF mind. the
dire prophesies that commercial dis
aster and financial suffering will fol-
low a change of policy, have no ter
rors for them-such threats ana pre-
dictions have held patriotic Repub-
licans in their party lines, and driven
well-meaning Democrats from devoted
allegiance long enough. The intelli-
gence of this patriotic people has been
quickened. They see that continu-
ance of such policies as the Republic
an party has pursued must be checked
or we may easily drift into a condition
no better than feudalism. Legislation
in the interest of privileged classes
destroys equality of opportunity and
undermines our free institutions.
Democratic Victory.
Every time public sentiment is
aroused to the extent that 1t is to-
day, 1t makes short work in eradicat-
ing an evil. No question is ever set
tied in this country until 1t is settled
|
into control of the House Of Repre-.
sentatives in the coming fall election,
and at the presidential election Of
1912 1t will be entrusted with the re-
! sponsibility OF the legislative and ex.
ecutive branches of the government.
Then 1t will be our duty and pleas.
ure to frame q revision of the tariff
along revenue lines. Those entrusted
with that work will have a serious
task to perform, but II actuated by
pure motives, as they will be. they
will accomplish a great undertaking.
1t will not only be to their credit and
to that of the party they represent,
but such an achievement will be a
| great benefit to the country and to
humanity. 1t will prove the most ef-
fective remedy for the disease which
is now gnawing at the vitals or the
republic-the Trusts and the Monopo-
lies. 1t will be a great advance In the
uplift of the people.
AS the. view Of President Taft has
been broadened and his vantage point
elevated by the expressions Of the
people during the last six weeks, SO
have the aims Of the American people
been raised and their comprehensions
broadcned within the last generation.
Wonderful inventions In science
have prompted amazing development
in our resources, largely increased
our wealth; the genius Of our people
has extended our commercial and
financial influence so that we occupy
much stronger position among the
nations of the world than we did a
generation ago.
So rapid has been our advance In
material and commercial lines that
we have not been disposed to criticise
the agencies by which 1t has been pro.
NOTED nor the methods that have been
used. The moral awakening of the
present day, however, which will give
us square deal tariff revision will
also effect many other reforms. This
aroused national intelligence already
has accomplished much. 1t has taken
a national inventory Of stock. 1t has
reported, as 1t were, to the national
conscience, and the national con.
science has made itself felt. Phases
of the struggle between government
Of plutocracy, by plutocracy and for
plutocracy and government of the peo-
pie, by the people and for the people
are no doubt destined to occupy atten-
tion for many years to come, but some
phases of 1t we have already put be-
hind US.
You will never again zee great cor.
porations Haunting themselves in the
halls of legislation and the corridors
Of administrative departments as they
have been seen In the past.
There will be reactionary forces.
There viii be attempts TO re-employ
former methods. We have Just seen
that incredible thing under the Taft
administration. But, as we have also
seen under the Taft administration.
they win be SO penalized that such Inn
pulses and attempts will be short
lived.
You VIII never again behold great
and unscruplous corporations accumu-
lating enormous corruption funds and
asserting control Of parties, debating
incumbencies OF public office and
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