Maryland Independent

COMMUNISM.

We are opposed to the attachments and abuses of corporations. Some of our contemporaries and some leading monopolists pronounce this an encouragement of Communism.

Is this a just charge? Come, let us reason together and see.

Communism is not of American origin. It is not indigenous to a Republic. It is an exotic. It thrives in Europe. It germinates in the hot-bed of royalty and tyranny. The excesses, vices and oppressions of the ruling classes of Europe worked laboriously in the soil of human endurance before they brought Communism into life. Where but if the grossest abuses of power had not prevailed; if the excesses and vices of the ruling classes had not exhausted patience; if the rights of the people had not been trampled under foot black, criminal Communism would never have been born.

Yet what besotted tyrant, what titled debauchee, what insolent lackey of office in Europe would have believed that his reckless conduct was slowly and surely creating a demon that might destroy him?

We have no Communism here. We can have none unless those who enjoy special privileges desire to abuse their good fortune and to use their power to debauch legislation, corrupt the bench and control elections for their own selfish purposes. We can have none unless corporate monopolies imitate the vices and follies of the aristocrats of Europe and set themselves up as superior to the law and the people.

Therefore, when we caution the privileged classes to moderation, prudence and justice; when we advise them not to abuse those privileges and rights, which if properly used, every American citizen will respect and defend, we check the growth of Communism and dig up and destroy the seed. As the enemy of corporate abuses, as the upholder of the people's right, we are actually the practical foe of Communism in the United States.

Down with Communism in this country?

The European governments are taking active measures to prevent the introduction of the cholera. Traffic between Port Said and Syria has been suspended and a panic prevails at Jiddah because of fears that five vessels expected there from India have the disease aboard. The infected quarters in Damietta are being disinfected.