Columbia," said:

Events are transpiring all around us that enforce respect of
the oppressed classes. In one form or another, by one means
or another, the ideas of a common humanity against
privileged classes, of common rights against special
privileges, are now rocking the world. Explosives are heard
that rival the earthquake. They are causing despots to
tremble, class rule to quail, thrones to shake and
oppressive associated wealth to turn pale. It is for America
to be wise in time.

And the black philosopher, who had by manly courage and matchless
eloquence braved the mob law of the North and the organized brigandage
and robbery of the South in the dark days of the past, days that tried
men's souls, standing in the sunlight of rejuvenated manhood, still
was the oracle of the oppressed in the sentiments above quoted.

All over the land the voice of the masses is heard. Organizations in
their interests are multiplying like sands on the seashore. The
fierce, hoarse mutter of the starved and starving gives unmistakable
warning that America has entered upon that fierce conflict of
money-power and muscle-power which now shake to their very centers the
hoary-headed commonwealths of the old world. In _John Swintons Paper_
of a recent date I find the following editorial arraignment of the
present state of "Labor and Capital:"

The cries of the people against the oppressions of capital
and monopoly are heard all over the land; but the capitalist
and monopolist give them no heed, and go on their way more
relentlessly than ever. Congress is fully aware of the
condition of things; but you cannot get any bill through
there for the relief of the people. The coal lords of
Pennsylvania know how abject are the tens of thousands of
blackamoors of their mines; but they grind them without
mercy, and cut their days' wages again whenever they squeal.
Jay Gould knows of the wide-spread ruin he has wrought in
piling up his hundred millions; but he drives along faster
than ever in his routine of plunder. The factory Christians
of Fall River see their thousands of poor spinners
struggling for the bread of life amid the whirl of
machinery: but they order reduction after reduction in the
rate of wages, though the veins of the corporations are
swollen to congestion. The "Big Four" of Chicago, who corner
gr