ÆäÀÌÁö À̹ÌÁö
PDF
ePub
[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

The Inspiration of a Life

There is looming up a new and dark power. I cannot dwell upon the signs and shocking omens of its advent. The accumulation of individual wealth seems to be greater than it ever has been since the downfall of the Roman Empire. The enterprises of the country are aggregating vast corporate combinations of unexampled capital, boldly marching, not for economic conquests only, but for political power. For the first time really in our politics money is taking the field as an organized power. * * * Already, here at home, one great corporation has trifled with the sovereign power, and insulted the state. There is grave fear that it, and its great rival, have confederated to make partition of the state and share it as spoils. * * * The question will arise, and arise in your day, though perhaps not fully in mine, "Which shall rule-wealth or man; which shall lead-money or intellect; who shall fill public stations-educated and patriotic free men, or the feudal serfs of corporate capital?"

Chief Justice Edward G. Ryan, Speech to Graduating Class, Wisconsin Law School, 1873.

[blocks in formation]
« ÀÌÀü°è¼Ó »