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EQUALITY OP RIGHTS. 



It lias been truly said, " Equality of rights is the first of 

 rights." There is no other basis upon which the republic can 



stand ; with this principle for its foundation, sacredly regard- 

 ed, it may abide forever. A departure from this principle has 

 caused all the civil wars of the world, and often brought ruler 

 and ruled to a common ruin. That constitution which does 

 not guarantee it is founded upon the sand ; legislation upon 

 any other basis must be tyrannical ; whether special privileges 

 are given to an individual or to a class, the tyranny is the 

 same. When you grant special privileges to an individual or 

 to a class, you take from the people as much as you grant to 

 that individual or that class. The grant of a special privilege 

 to one is, to the extent of that grant, a curtailment of the 

 rights of all others. We have on all sides illustrations of this 

 fact in the great advantages that corporations have over private 

 individuals. These corporations, under the control of those 

 who have made and are making fortunes by reason of these 

 special powers, are like the gambler's bank, sure to win all 

 that is put at risk by the individual not initiated in their mys- 

 teries. Neither the faro bank nor the roulette table has its 

 chances arranged more certain in its favor, or takes a greater 

 advantage of its customers than many of these corporations 

 take of those under their control. Let corporations continue 

 to increase and carry on business, with such advantages as the 

 law gives them, and they will destroy all individual enterprise. 

 And still parties, not satisfied with the advantages given corpo- 

 rations over the individual in ordinary business affairs, are 

 constantly organizing corporations with no other object than 

 to rob the unsuspecting and confiding public. 



The sale of the stock of such corporations is gambling and 



