The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-19


ahaped the platforms Of the national
democratic party and directed ats course
in congress.
There have been many boasts INDUCED
over the conspicuous and influential posi-
.ions which Kentucky representatives
have acquired in both branches of con-
gress, but such is the lame conclusion
which has resulted from that ascendency.
Then, too, when q proposition was made
in the national legislature to educate the
mass Of illiterates who are shooting each
other from behind rocks and bringing
disgrace upon the commonwealth and
even upon our civilization, it was defeated
by these Same "lcaders." Although Ken
lucky pays about $l0,0OO,00o every year
into the federal treasury-some three or
four times Us much as all six New England
States combined-thc proposition to re-
turn part Of this sum for educational
purposes. and thereby reduce the Unequal
ity Of the exaction, and by a constitu-
tiona1 method-a method approved by
both Washington and JefIerson-it was
defeated by questionable device of the
very men who are supposed to be she'd
ding such luster upon the famous old
State.
1t is pitiful to see great and powerful
commonwealth State containing some
of the finest men and women in the
world-thus ehthrallcd and chained down
to barren destiny. 1t is not strange
that the masses are firing Of their mas
tiers, and that they give some sign of n
desire to have their new constitution
something more than bundle Of narrow
and proscriptive prejudices.
II.
As was expected the Tillmanitcs swept
the democratic convention in South Caro-
lima and the mossbacks have yielded as
gracefully as it was possible for moss
backs to yield. This revolt throughout
the South against the regular democratic
machine, whether it assumes the shape Of
q Farmers Alliance in Alabama and
Georgia, of Tillmanism in South Carolina,
or Clayism in Kentucky, is simply the
growing dissatisfaction Of the masses at
the machinery and misrue of the politi-
clans. In some sections the movement is
stronger and moro clearly defined than in
others, but it seems to lack definite pur-
pose and organization everywhere. Parts
of the platforms that have been adopted
in some Of the States are communistic,
revolutionary and absolutely and foolishly
subvcrsive of the established Institutions
of the country. If this radical and un-
Informed clement is suppressed, the move
ment may accomplish some good, though
at present its partisans seem far from the
right track, stumbling along blindly in
the bypaths and brambles of an unfamiliar
wilderness. Like the devout Athcnians
they are merely " feeling after an unknown
God, if happily they may find him." and
had they a true philosopher and leader
like st. Paul to direct them, they would
find him.
We can but admire the spirit and aim
Of these vast Disconnected elements how
ever we may differ from their theories. 1t
is II goodly sight to see young leaders
springing up-mcn Of sufficient courage
and strength to snap the bonds which
have trammeled their thought and sub
jectcd them TO the scrvitudc of partyism,
asserting their independence and boldly
"plucking the wizard beard of hoary
error" They may blundcr and defect
into wrong paths, but if they will continue,
conscientiously studying the problem Of
human government and opening their
minds to new currents of thought, they
may accomplish great good, intellectually
as we'll as politically, and even morally.
There is much in the situation to in
terest the student of politics. These
movements of the masses must not be
passed over with mere superficial prophe
sizes of their early discontinuance and the
speedy downfall of their leaders. These
prophcsics of the thoughtless have at
tended every important social upheaval
the world has known, both in the political
and religious world. They were freely
INDUCED in Germany when the quarrel of
monk with priest broadencd and deep
cned into the Lutheran revolution; they
were likewise current even in France up
to the moment when band Of cut-throats
in Paris attacked the Swiss guards,
ultimately securing the person Of Louis
XVI and bringing him to the guilotne.
Revolution" says Hugo, sis the bru-
tality of progress; and though more
modern movements are accompanied with
less bloodshed and none Of its horrors,
they may nevertheless prove effective in
accomplishing the purposes for which
they are organized, and despite protests
and prophesies.
Combine and Conquer.
A number of land companies own the
land in and about Big Stone Gap. There