Show Consolidation the Tendency of tho Age The influence of consolidation Is everywhere ev-erywhere the same the absorption of small States the creation of large ones the centralization of power In the hands of a few the unification ot people peo-ple of kindred race and similar language lan-guage and In this country a vast accession ac-cession to tho power ot the Federal Government Wise men may differ as to whether the liberties of tho people can better be preserved In large States or In small ones History doubtless favors the latter but the historical republics re-publics had neither steam nor electricity electrici-ty nor the general diffusion of education educa-tion and Intelligence they have brought In their train In producing tho evil If it bo nn evilthey have also furnished fur-nished the antidote The nineteenth century has given birth to largo States but at the same time has curtailed the privileges of the great has expanded tle area ot freedom and entrenched the POOp in their natural rights But theso speculations are of little value The large States are Upon us and overshadow over-shadow us They have come to stay and for better or for woise tho world must adapt itself to their conditions The consolidating influence is not less manifest in matters of Internal economy econo-my und is as potent in business us in politics In fact It may be said to have revolutionized the whole system of production pro-duction Where transportation is slow and expensive each State becomes a manufacturing community of its own where it Is cheap local manufacturers und dealers are driven to the wall by the competition of the great producers who manufacture only where It can be done at best advantage The results are largo enterprises only rendered possible by combinations of capital great corporations monopolizing the production ot all the comforts and many of the necessaries of life Immense Im-mense farms und pastures flooding the markets of Europe with cheap meats and grain curtailing the rents of tho landlords nnd depressing the value of their lands tho crushing out ot small producers and the centralizing centraliz-ing ot production where labor and ma terlal can bo obtained the cheapest Justice II B Brown In the August Forum |