The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-02-28
For the GREAT West:
THE TYRANNY OF GOLD.


THE TYRANNY OF GOLD
Who is it hath wrested the scepter
From men of Columbia free?
Who to sorrow and poverty dooms them,
With a cruelty fearful to see?
Who stiles the cry of the wretched,
Heeds not their distress or their need,
Till written upon the near future,
Their story of ruin we read?
There are none in this country, distinguished
By title of noble sound,
Tho some fancy the clay in their makeup,
Is better than common ground!
Who then is the peoples oppressor,
Who robs the poor man of his bread?
Who renders the present a burden,
And fills all the future with dread?
IT'S the millionaire, plundering people,
As banker or railroad king,
Or the man who is forming the statutes
More wealth in his Golfers to bring.
No use for the poor to ask mercy,
His heart is as hard a stone
In his creed "aE have rights free and equa.,
Applies to the rich men alone.
These men are the head OF the nation,
Their deeds would laborer hang:
farmer, of such crimes convicted
Would soon join manaced gang.
Yet these are the toasted and fattered,
Till their greco does but equal their fame,
Till the people at last are awaking,
To know OF their danger and shame.
Should they ever appeal to their rulers,
Or petition for human right
To be freed from oppressive taxation,
Or saved from Monopoly's might;
They but gain by representation;
The MIGHTY their plea can suppress:
Tho prompt are these great men in action,
Their own private wrongs to redress.
So long have the toilers been blinded,
And led to their horrible fate
While slowly and surely oppression,
Has added heavier weight;
Till, crushed meath the burden, and hopeless
II a light in the darkness they view,
'Tis to them but mirage OF promised
A vision too bright to be true!
Yet not without blame are the people
For the danger so dreadfuly near;
It is partly OF Labors creation,
This hideous object to fear.
They erected King Mammon for Worship;
And now in his corporate strength,
He demands the likelihood OF his subjects,
To slavery will bring them at length.
And when they would turn to the ballot
It's vaunted protection to claim,
There too is the foe to be dreaded,
And a freedom of choice but name.
Can it be for the bright shining metal,
The men OF this world have named gold
The birthright so dear to the people,
Can basely be bought or be sold?
Is it true in this boosted republic,
Tho man be both honest and wise,
If his wealth be mortgage-cursed homestead,
He can never to emnence rise?
Shame on unworthy descendants,
OF sires who for liberty fought,
Whose soul can with money be furnished,
Whose voice in the nation be bought.
Arise then, true men of the Union,
And force from usurpers the power
Bequeathed unto you by your fathers,
As a battle-won pledge and DOVER
Place men in the halls of our Congress-
Whose honor is trusty and strong,
Who will work for the cause OF the poor man,
An issue neglected too long,
And onward press shoulder to shoulder,
Nor swerve from the left or the right,
Ye corporate body OF workmen-
In union shall center your might
Soon freed shall you be from your bondage
Yet never forgetting this end:
Fail not to be governed by Justice,
Which sweetly with mercy shall blend
South Dakota. LIP. GUr
ELECATES AND ALTERNATES.
Annual Alliance March 9Th. Come to the City Mono