St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-04-04
THE DEMAGOGUE.
A ST. Paul Working man Chides His
Minneapolis Brethren.
To the Editor of the Globe:

To the Editor of the Globe:
was pleased to read in your Sundays
issue of March %, that you had given to
the public one page of your valuable paper
in which may be discussed the general
topics of the day. l have often wished to.
say word or two on various questions, but
have held aloof because did not know just
how this labor page was carried on. But
judging from the writings of some of the
labor agitatOrS, l was led to suppose they
had bought that page, body and SOUL The
majority of these writers seem to think
their interests can be protected only by
general organization of their forces, and by
constant preparation for some sort of vio-
lent contest, as "0ne of the People" says by
eternal vigilance. This is state of mind
most apt to lead men into strange miscon-
ceptions as to the world they live in and
thus breeds all sorts of eXtravagant schemes.
such a condition of things is to say the
least full of mischief. While the great
majority of working people are not only
honest, but well-meaning and sensible,
there are unquestiOnably among them
few demagogues who try to acquire leader
ship by playing upon the. passions of the
eXcteable and the credulity of the ignorant.
The first thing the demagOgueS aim at al
ways is to ALLEVIATE the working people as
much as possible from the other class of
society," and thus shut out what influence
the latter might exercise upon them. Moth
ing could be better calculated to play into
the hands of the demagogues in this respect
than an impression created among the work
ing people that the church has abused its
Office in the interest of capital.
1t is the duty Of the Church to overcome
this antagonistic feeling existing between
the working people and the church. and to
still the voice of the demagoGues. What
would become of the working people should
they follow the advice of the c. l.. l.. in
regard to the church? And on the other
hand what would become of them were
they to follow the lead of lone of the Peo-
pie" and settle all their grievances by the
same means as was used to settle the ques-
ton Of independence and slavery? This
great Southwest strike seems on the eve
of such a settlement. and furnishes ample
reasons for condemning this mode Of set
ting difficulties of this kind. Reform
must begin
WITH THE INDIVIDUAL.
Capital can never get ahead of labor
if labor is educated to govern
itself, to know its rights and de-
mahd them, doing justice to ALL
This labor problem is complex one, and
more than one element forms factor in
determining the rate of wages. / think,
too, that the labor movement is becoming
too conspicuous. 1 can but Hken it unto a
tender plant which has been raised in a
dark corner of the hot house. sheltered from
the rays of the sun for years. What folly
then, all of sudden, to bring it into the
noon-day glare! The effect is sure to be
very injurious, if it does not entirely kill
the movement. The working people must
keep the notes from their eyes that they
may see the many defects of the deIna-
gogues who, if let alone, will more than
counteract any good which might otherwise
come out of the movement. When the
working people take for their school some
thing better than beer garden, and for
their pastor and church something better
than the demagogue and rum shops they
will be better able to make just demands
and get their due. BATH.
Ct Poul raril