The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-11
STAND ASIDE, PLEASE, LET THE KING
PASS

PASS
Some days ago read that Mr. j. P. Nor
gan made a visit to the New York City Hall to
ered excessive and unjust assessment of
personal property. line of citizens in
waiting to have various adjustments made OF
their tax bills. When the king appeared they
had to fall back and the recent arrival was i'm
mediately served. After which he went his way
and the poor ordinary mortals resumed their
HOMOGENEOUS march to the window.
Yesterday the papers gave the news that Mr.
Morgan present at a great convention OF
his church, despite the fact that he had been
xubpoenaed to appear witness In certain
bankruptcy proceedings The court was forced
to adjourn because this material witness saw
At to ignore its authority and to consult his own
pleasure as to the disposition OF his roya per-
Such transactions these make the blood OF
man boil They breed discomfort and inspire
! contempt for the government under which they
are permitted. They kindle resentment In the
hearts Of those who still believe that "a mans
man Tor n tnaA, ana VINO IN the conscious
ness of their equal rights and privileges under
free government recognize the superior right
of no other man. Whatever his position cir
cumstances. to any greater privileges or any
more fndufgent dispensation
PROFESSIONALLY position. power wealth dis
| tinction and such things bestow entitlenent to
greater advantages. privileges and Benefits
within the realm Of citizenship every man
against fact which is patent on IT'S face We
do not begradge Mr.. Morgan, or any other man.
the peruuist es OF high place and power But
within the realm of citizenship every man
ands an equal footing. He is subject to the
same laws. obligated by the same duties and en-
joys the same privileges. At least this IS the
| theory of our government and should be its
practice
What protest aganst. therefore Is this
assumption OF superiority that has been SO ap-
parent in these days of swollen fortunes and
colossal power What we challenge is the SEEM
Ing theory that circumstance bestows upon
some the right to ignore disregard and defy
laws and obligations that are imposed upon
others not materially and temporarily for
tunate. When Mr.. Morgan appears as citizen
in the City Hall he appears upon the exact plane
occupied by all other citizens and should take
his place upon their level and In the line
When he is summoned to court under the au-
thority OF the law any other witness an i'm
pndent disregard Of the courts mandate should
be construed contempt and punished as in
the case OF others
This principle is true OF citizenship at
large We know royalty here. We have no
mobiles, spoiled children of special privilege to
whom we bend the pregnant hinges OF the knee
We all Americans. free and equal in the
contemplation of the constitution The sooner
these principles applied in practice as they
recognized in theory the sooner a long step
will have been taken toward the allaying Of
that restlessness discomfort and suspicion Of
public institutions that is very apparent IN
certain quarters.
We haven't heard any wild shouting by the
whiskey papers over Maine remaining dry and