HISTORY OF THE WHEEL. 65 



tends to restrict or circumscribe any class of our citizens in 

 the free exercise of these God-given rights and privileges 

 are detrimental to the best interests of a free people. 



u While it is an established fact that the laboring 

 classes of mankind are the real producers of wealth, we 

 find that they are gradually becoming oppressed by com- 

 binations of capital, and the fruits of their toil absorbed by 

 a class who propose not only to live on the labors of others, 

 but to speedily amass fortunes at their expense. 



u We hold to the principle that all monopolies are 

 dangerous to the best interests of our country, tending to 

 enslave a free people, and subvert and finally overthrow 

 the great principles purchased by Washington and his 

 glorious compatriots. 



1 ' We hold to the principle that the laboring classes 

 have an inherent right to buy and sell when and wherever 

 their interests are best served, and patronize none who dare, 

 by word or action, oppose a just, fair and equitable ex- 

 change of the products of our labor. " 



The growth of the Wheel was attended with many 

 serious drawbacks, and met with much determined resist- 

 ance. The objects of the Order were not generally well 

 understood and were frequently misrepresented. It grew 

 with such wonderful rapidity that it became impossible to 

 furnish competent lecturers and proper literature to educate 

 the new members as to the real objects of the Order. 

 Thousands who belonged to the Order knew nothing of its 

 origin, and but little of its objects. They were, therefore, 

 in no position to repel the attacks made upon the organiza- 

 tion. But few newspapers had, up to this time, espoused 

 the cause of the Wheel, and these had but a limited circu- 

 lation. The professional politician saw, in the rapid pro- 

 gress of the Order, that the fanner was preparing to look out 

 for himself and a new order of things introduced in the 

 domain of politics. The merchant saw, in the success of 



