Kansas University Weekly.
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who raised the wheat. Not one cent to the mills that ground it. Instead, the already "toppling fortune" of this notorious schemer, who never sowed, nor reaped, nor fed it to the mill wheels, gained every dollar. Why, the very reason our forefathers declared war against England was that England levied a tax of two cents a pound on our tea. Yet when a private citizen with "no right save his might" places a tax ten times as great upon the very bread of life we submit without a murmur.
There is not a single article we eat, drink or wear that is not thus placed in the hands of concentrated capital to be controlled absolutely at its caprice. It is a shame that the people are made the "prey and sport of plunderers" who thus lock competition in the "grasp of monopoly." The irresponsibility and insolence of this sudden and enormous wealth knows no bounds. "The public be damned, say the plutocrats, speaking through the voice of the Vanderbilt millions." In cornering the crops and stopping the wheels of industry the oppressive and domineering trusts of this country have done what the Czar of Russia would not dare to do. The syndicate, the trust, the corporation—these are the mercenaries of this Republic, which are growing richer while the people are growing poorer.
It is essential that those who would "centralize the government" must closely ally themselves with this "consolidated money power." The establishment of the money power calls for a correspondingly strong government. Thus they walk hand in hand—the centralist and the capitalist—the federalist and the monopolist—each supporting and perpetuating the other—diminishing the rights of the many, strengthening the hands of the few—abolishing local government, and at last confronting the people with the infamous challenge: "What are you going to do about it."
Who shall protest against this tendency? The issue is squarely made. On the one side are the people and the threatened states; on the other centralized government and the money power.
The roar and din of the great conflict already we hear from afar. What shall be the remedy against these tendencies in our government that menace our peace and threaten our liberties? To defend the principle of local self-government by exalting the hearthstone, fortifying the home, building up the individual; not to deprecate the Federal government but to strengthen it; to send to the heart of this Republic rich blood from "healthy members." This is true patriotism. If this nation would preserve its temple of liberty it must exalt the citizen, for as the state is the "unit of government" so is the citizen the "the unit of the state."
Let every man be taught that "his home is his castle" and himself its sovereign. Let him be independent and self-reliant; not leaning on the state for what "his own arm can do," nor on the government for anything that his state can perform.
When we think of the countless hosts of mercenaries and the tremendous tendencies working against the peace and prosperity of this country it makes our hearts sink within us. But we shall not be conquered. The dangers of political centralization shall be met by the principle of local self-government. The great middle class must be built up to counteract the evils of riches and the embitterment of poverty. This Republic shall be redeemed, liberty saved, centralism checked, and equality restored. The patriotism, virtue and intelligence of the people shall triumph. Under "one language, one liberty, one God," the spectacle shall present itself to the nations of this earth, in all its resplendent glory, of a "compact, united and indissoluble Union."
HORACE G. POPE.