Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1891-12-29

AlTcduy IHc StIdiScI diuOuS us Cdi
see at IL glance the drift of things. Thu
America Charles Dickens saw is Il mem
DRY of the past. In the city and in the
country there are hosts of beggars ant
tranps. Men of moderate means M
longer hope to hold their own or accu
nulate fortunes. Everything is against
them. They are swallowed up or crowd
ed out, and they, see no future outside
of the slavery Of the wage worker o.
hopeless pauperisn Thirty years age
people of the middle and wealthy classe:
did not differ widely in their mode o.
living. Now the difference is apparent
even in their dress The gulf between
the aristocracy in England and the
masses is no wider and deeper than it il
! in this country between the plutocrats
and the people.
Under the circumstances is it any
wonder that our farmers in their reform
crusade sometimes propose extreme and
almost revolutionary measures? The
fact is it will take something very like a
revolution. to redeem the republic and
restore good government and general
prosperity. Our government is becom-
ing Russianized and our people are be-
coming panperiZcd. If this state of af-
fairs continues another generation this
will be the worst country in the world
for poor man. Fortunately, reform is
still possibility, but a few years from
now il will be only dream, and Il
peaceful revolution will be out Of the
question. Next year the people will
have fighting chance in their struggle
with the plutocracy. which now speaks
and acts through the Republican parity.
The only obstacle in the way is tue fact
that some of the most active plutocrats
are in the Democratic camp"
Such facts us are here presented ought
to meet the consideration of every pa
triot in the land The people who. are
demanding reform are demanding it be-
cause reform is needed. They are not
asking special favors. They simply want
justice. These are the foundation, frame
work and supporters of our social system
uilu vi OiI EONCILIllCHU, uC SONNI IL
ment can be made firm and everlasting
if the individuals composing it can re-
main patriotic. They cannot, they will
not remain patriotic when they find their
best efforts in the struggle for existence
unavailing. They cannot. they will not
love system Of government which OPP
presses the many SO that the few may
enjoy special privileges.
But let them know that each and
every ones interest is equally looked
after and guarded; let them understand
that so as governmental power and in
fuence can be extended, they are equal
sharers; let them know that the govern
ment recognizes that happy people is n
patriotic people. No people can be
happy when they see that they age, in 4
subtle manner, JADE taxpayers for the
purpose OF giving great prosperity to
certain industries and schemes under
the plea of protection. One class needs
protection as much as another 1t may
be that neither class needs it.
But ii all should need it, let it ba
ihcVOt out "i"Si VIC iif'hS IN iiNitiC vi
equal rights to all, special privileges to
none" If some classes be absolutely de-
MED protection" then take it from all
other classes. and let each stand or fall
by its own merits or own exertions.
Given this, there will be no uprising
among the people to make protests.
There will he no jealousies or COM
plants. 1t will be understood that sue
cess depends upon individual energy.
It will not be charged that the energy