Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-04-18
Marshall Warns Special Privilege.

Special privilege and the concentration
of wealth and their relation to"a spirit Of
unrest" that unless reckoned with might
jeopardize the institutions Of government
furnished the theme discussed by Vice |
President Marshall in speech last Satur-
day night at banquet Of the National
Democratic Club, New York. Mr. Marshall. |
Gov. Sulzer and William F. McCoombs were
guests of honor. The dinner commemor-
ated the 10th anniversary of the birth of
Thomas Jefferson. Norman E. Mack, Chas. |
F. Murphy, Representative Herman A. Metz
and former Judge Morgan J. 0Brien were
among those who attended
The Vice President was greeted with
applause when he rose to speak.
Current opinion holds, justly or unjustly."
he said, that the welfare Of the people of
this country depends not little upon the
conduct Of certain men in this city of New
York. have concluded, therefore, to
beard the lion in his den in the hope that
he may hear.
Present advantage shuts our eyes to
the permanency of our institutions. Not
what we are nor what we stand for, but
what we can make has come to be the
measure of governmental duty and indi-
vidual conduct. And yet, despite this
theory Of life, Carl Marx and hunger and
a longing for happiness are abroad in the
land. They are sitting as unknown guests
at every frugal meal. They are perturbine
the waking hours and coloring the dreams
OF millions Of Americans who. after all,
have the right to say what shall or shall
not be done.
The Vice President declared his warning
was the result of observation Of conditions
in twenty-seven northern States during the
recent presidential campaign. Swollen for
tunes, the accumulation Of great wealth
through governmental privileges granted,
he held, had much to do with the discon-
tent.
Along with general prosperity has come
a marvellous piline up of colossal private
fortunes Notwithstanding charges against
me that have freely assaulted the pos
SCISSORS Of these fortunes, know in my
own heart that such view Of my public
utterances is mistaken one. My assaults,
If have made any. have not been directed
at the possessors of the fortunes. but at the
principles Of government which contribute,
directly or indirectly to the accumulation
of fortunes. The piline up of colossal for
tunes, supplemented by general diffusion
of knowledge. has made large bodies of
people FESTIVE.
The desire of the people is for greater
equality of opportunity and enjoyment.
More and more, men are coming to the
belief that socialism alone will open up
and guarantee this equality. If ! were
the possessor of vast and growing for
tune and had made up my mind that the
government should continue to help me
make it grow, or if | were socialist,
would frown down upon the educational
system Of America.
Have acknowledging and inward
looking men ever stopped to consider what
might happen to them here in the great
State Of New York if those who have
not, should take it into their heads to
make common cause against those who
haveY They talk about vested rights and
in their talks assume they have both an
inherent and constitutional right to pass
their property down from generation to
generation until some reckless descendant
shall have dssipated ii.
Suppose governor and a general as
sembly in the State of New York should
repeal the statute of descents for real and
personal property, and the statute with
reference to the making Of wills. on their
death how much vested interest would any
relative have in the property which fell
from their nerveless hands at the hour Of
dissolution The right to inherit and the
right to devise are neither inherent nor
constitutional. but. upon the contrary. they
are simply privileges given by the State
to its citizens.
Let acknowledging and inward look
ing men read the returns of the last cleo
ton. Let them put on masks. 60 down
into the East Side and hear what people
are saying about them. Let them not close
their eyes and dream that what has been
forever will be. All that man hath will be
given for this life. and he is not wise who,
having plenty, risks il all to get little
more
THE belief that there is an unequa
distribution Of wealth in this country has
been supplemented by the belief that much
of it has been obtained through special
privilege, that il did not come by labor
skill. industry, barter or trade. but through
watered stocks and bonds. through corners
on commodities. through corruption Of leg
islatures. through the sale Of impure food
stuffs through wrecking railroads. through
all the devices known to man whereby the
law is not abroeated. but chloroformed.
Mr.. Marshall assailed the protective tariff
as one Of the principal causes for concen-
tration Of wealth. and declared that the
protection Of commodities had res ulted lin
free trade in conscience"
Let those who started" he said. land
are keeping up this theory of especial
privilege which finds its root. its sap and
vigor in prohibitive duties believe me when
say that change has come across the
spirit Of the republic. Be not deceived.
Our justice is ceasing to be perpendicular
and is beginning to be horizontal. Men
are refusing longer to look up that favors
may be handed down to them and are be-
ginning to look around to see how mutual
benefits may come to them. Wake up,
my brother be contented with that which
thou hast gotten. Yield a little that thou
mayst save much.
THE backward-lOoking and inward look
ing men may be able temporarily to check
the onward movement Of the forward-look-