The Grange advance., 1873-12-10
lack Of intelligence and cooperation,
which prevents any distinct representa-
<'o, - kl.:. ILL.,

ana cooperate everywhere. But thus
ignorant, divided, mixed and confused.
the specializing ofice-seeking and mo-
nopolizing few readily and easily keep
the upper hand. Recent events. how
ever, of grabs and swindles, quite cx-
traordinary. have worked on the public
mind like rattlesnake bite, to arouse
spirit Of just Indignation. The Modocs,
the Molochs, and the Shylocks Of posi-
ton and mammon power prove them.
selves, and now we know them Lord,
send more rattlesnakes, with a real live
alligator or two They are good things
sometimes to cut the eye teeth They
have already produced moral earth
quake. Railroad extortion is big
rattlesnake, and the very best medicine,
if We take it Alright. Thank God for
rattlesnakes and earthquakes!
Workingmen require another essen
tial and indispensable help; that is, a
newspaper press, as special public ad-
vocate. Among the thousands. scarcely
any are plucky and outspoken for hu-
manity. All honor to the few brave
exceptions Our large city papers are
most of them under the control of print
ing companies, with invested capital,
and their editors are naturally bound to
popular party and sectarian lines in the
interest of those capitalists. There is
no other way. Money dictates, and
working men and labor, as such, have
no voice and no hearing. Then our
country sheets generally are mere cow
ardly beggars, without backbone, and
obliged to court popularity, which is
wealth and bread. Where, then, are
the workers? Indeed, they are no.
where. Or, if big in numbers, capital
is bigger.
The outlook for the people-the toll
ers-is therefore quite dark and dubi-
Gus, and their case is hard to reach.
But when we shall have been bitten,
and scourged, and cheated, and hum
bugged long enough, We may ourselves
be prepared to move with a forward
step in new departure. When will it
be? Answer, 0 ye working men!
The elements Of our prevalent aris-
tocracy are wealth, pride, show, social
and official position, non-production and
speculation; the vital spirit of which is
decidedly antagonistic to fair, honest,
republican democracy. Another and
a better kind of aristocracy is perfectly
legitimate, which should be Immediately
recognized and inaugurated, namely {:
the aristocracy of Labor and Produc-
ton. Work originates and creates all
that is beautiful and useful to mankind.
Why, then, should that not be proud
and independent? Why should 1t not
legislate and govern It should, by
all that is true and holy-and for that
we must strike. Aye, that is the word
-strihe ! Strike everywhere, and
keep on striking. Strike for a Work
ING AR1sTocRAcY-for the lights and
dignity of labor. The workingmen of
Minnesota have struck heavy blow,
and our Legislature elect is we'll sprink-
led with potato bags. And if they have
teeth, let them bite at the coming ses.
sion.
Let us never forget that it is work
and productive industry, not political
jugglery and manipulation, that build
up and preserve the country. Hence
why not fill all places of public trust,
with practical and honest workingmen :?
A hard honest hand weakens no mans
intellect Or mental qualifications.
While, on the other hand, the possess
sion Of wealth, obtained by speculation
or hocus-pocus games, recommends no
man even for the neanest position.
Politics should therefore be reconstruct
ed, and farmers and workingnen rise.
Humanity must ALWAYS hold the su-