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About The Conservative (Nebraska City, Neb.) 1898-1902 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 1900)
The Conservative. ialisru , " will bo , he fears , the only rep resentative , aud all that is loft of the great Ainoricau Republic , if Mr. Me- Kinley succeeds. "How the mighty have fallen what shadows we are aud what shadows wo pursue. " Credit aud a sound currency is the mainstay of trade , and the prosperity aud happiness of our people rest upon it , and to the wage-earner in a greater de gree than to any other class of our citi zens. 'Preservation of that credit and currency , and shunning all the experi ments of dreamers and poets on our financial system , : 's the question of gravest importance to this people in volved in the coming election. We can bind up the wounds of the suffering Filipino at our leisure ; we can repair any mistake , if the results show we have made any ; there's plenty of time for that ; but credit and confidence in a nation and among peoples , once lost , is difficult of restoration , aud the crash fol lowing it reaches the poor and the man of moderate means infinitely more than it does the man of substantial wealth. I am not an advanced optimist , but I have no fears of the ghost of a destroy ed republic intruding upon my presence by reason of any Philippine episode. Mr. Sohurz and Mr. Oookran forgot what you do not that in the war of the rebellion even the good old Horace Greeley believed the republic was rent in twain , and petitioned. Mr. Lincoln "that the erring states might go in peace" to prevent further and useless bloodshed. The republic was ruined , cried the chicken-hearts , and the consti tution destroyed. But out of the mists came no ghosts , but the old republic , with new vigor and strength , passing all conjecture in its progress to the first place among nations. A people that can suppress the greatest rebellion the world ever saw , and live and prosper , is not likely to be overthrown as the result of insurrection in the Philippines , nor in the purchase of territory and estab lishing a government there that will protect the person , and property of all well-disposed persons in the newly- acquired territory. So long as the heart of our people in the home government is true and loyal , we need not fear for its safety , as consequent upon the ' acquirement of outside territory. The Itcml Danger to the Republic. The danger to the peace and prosper ity of the republic in present conditions comes from men who constitute them selves walking delegates , stirring up bad blood between employer and employed , pandering to the groundless complaints of the shiftless and ne'er do-well class , and they are in every community , in flaming the passion by sympathy with wrongs that have no real existenqe , teaching them the doctrine that to possess wealth makes its owner their enemy and oppressor ; and that fyis wealth is ill-gotten and stained with the blood and toil aud suffering of the poor. This state of feeling when it reaches its climax , means disorder , disregard of personal rights , disregard of judicial opinion , and with a bold and daring leader , means class against class in battle array , and bloodshed to follow. I do not charge that all men who preach pop- ulistic doctrines intend to produce such results , but they do not take into ac count the character , education , instincts and lack of moral control that their audiences possess , and when the evil comes , as it has come , and as it will come , increasing in virulence of temper and hostility of demonstration , extend ing to violence aud bloodshed , these well-meaning persons shift the respon sibility from themselves , and cry they never intended such means should be used , nor thought such results would follow. The great head of the agitators is a candidate for your suffrage. His name is "William Jennings Bryan ! " As you desire to suppress this growing ill feel ing between class and class , and to maintain harmony between employer and employed , upon a basis honorable and just to both , vote to suppress him and his doctrines and methods. Bryau u Populist. In 1896 Mr. Bryan was placed in nom ination at Chicago before the populist convention , but in 1900 the populists , in the pride of their increased strength and vantage from position , led off and nom inated Mr. Bryan. That their under standing of the situation may be made clear , I make reference to the opening address of the permanent chairman at Sioux Falls , wherein he declared that in the Chicago convention of 1896 ( I quote his words ) : "The spirit of populism sat upon their throne and in their convention , and under the name of democracy , they commenced a contest for populist principles , embodying in their platform nearly everyone of the paramount issues that has been declared in the people's party platform for four years before. ' Then glorifying the proud and com manding position obtained over their old foe , the democratic party , and alluding to the habits of the Alexanders and Oiesars in trailing behind their chariot their most distinguished captives in their triumphal march , before a re joicing multitude , he said , ( I quote his words ) : "If the peoples' party were to indulge in such a parade , they would have the right to lead in procession before the assembled people and the government , as the chief and greatest captives , the dem ocratic party and the platform they had adopted. " My old brethren , you who follow Bryan to be regular , do you not shudder when you reflect that your allegiance to Bryan made you regular populists , but- made you irregular democrats instead of regular democrats ? The bonds that hold your chief in the populistio creed are so strong that they do not fear , after your four yeara of captivity , they boldly taunt you as their captives taken , as they say , "under the name of democracy. " Will you longer wear the badge of populistio servitude and remain "hewers of wood and draw ers of water" in the camp of the enemy , whose name and doctrine was always a stench in the nostrils of every Jefferson- iau democrat ? What would old Sam Tilden or Horatio Seymour say to you , if they could be rehabilitated on earth ? You may answer nothing , but if that should be true , it would bo because yon would be ashamed to meet , but would avoid them. THE CONSERVATIVE TRUSTS. ' TIVE publishes , this week , an epitome of Mr. Ohas. R. Flint's speech on industrial conbinations. It is a thoughtful and logical presenta tion of the "trust" question. Mr. Flint is thoroughly at home in 'a discussion of industrial problems. He has had much experience with large enterprises , involving the investment of capital of considerable magnitude. It was his genius that conceived the first industrial combination and his constructive ability that made its success possible. Mr. Flint , in accord with the best economic thought of the country , believes that combinations in themselves are not bad but are a positive good. They bear a like relation to production as does im proved machinery. Both cheapen the cost of the thing produced and therefore are a benefit to the community. As Mr. Flint points out combinations are of two fold advantage to the wage-earner. The cheapening of the cost of production enlarges the wage fund , thereby making possible the payment of increased wages and at the same time these wages buy more by reason of the cheapened price of the thing produced. Combination therefore moans higher wages to the wage earner and cheaper prices for the things he buys. Those who wish TEAR DOWN. to tear down pre sent industrial conditions who are not content to "let well enough alone , " should vote for Bryan , discontent and destruction. Those who wish to build up and in- oreaso all wage-paying industries who seek contentment vote against Bryan. For a single truth , if ho told one , in the prophecies made in 1896 , find more gold circulating in Truth < the TTnifced States " ' than ever -before. - . - - - -
