Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1891-05-26
WHAT SHALL OUR LEADERS BE?
Shall They be Those Who Knowing the
Enemy Dare Dash Against Him?
Leaders Who Can't Be Bought
mr. Ru,Iied. s

or Buil1eUs
The Hon. Thos. E. Watson, one of
the new alliance congressman from
Georgia, wrote letter recently to the
southern alliance from which the fol-
lowing is taken:
Il would tonight it were in my
power to send it tingling into the ears
of every alliance man and reformer in
the south, and in the west, that no re-
form ever succeeded which was not con-
sistent with itself. The French have
to-day sun-lit republic, because they
would not compromise with the monar-
chy of the Bourbons, nor the empire of
the Bonaparts. They said at the start
they would have republic; they stood
to it through good and through evil
fortune. All Europe led on by kings
tried to put them down; blood flowed
like water; cities burst into flames;
armies sprung up and persisted: usurp-
ers came and went, but after all,
patient resolution conquered, and the
flag of the republic waves over the
pleasant land of France" Her heroes
won because they were consistent In
down beneath tariff laws. Famine was
abroad in the land. The middle classes
hungered; the lower classes starved. At
last human nature could put up with it
no longer. Leaders came to the front:
the rallying call was made; the hungry
millions answered. Down with the
tariff" was the cry. mo compromise"
was the policy. They triumphed, and
into every humble home in England
went cheaper food and cheaper raiment
Her heroes won because they were con-
sistent. They framed their platform
and fought it through. could multi
ply examples by the score The rule
has no exception. Whenever reform
stops to compromise it finds it's Water
loo. Standing to one platform there is
unity, hope, strength. Yielding part
of that platform there is division. dis
couragement loss of confidence and dis
astrous defeat. Profoundly impressed
with this idea, l am in favor of chew
ing to the line, let the chips scatter as
they may" Let us formulate policy
and stand by it. How can we bring
success to our platform by putting into
the most influential position men who
do not favor it?
In one of Napoleon's campaigns divi-
sion of his army stood confronting the
enemy. There had been some fighting,
but the results were in doubt. The
French held back. Their officers urged
them forward. They still held back.
Then squirting his horse to the front,
came Murat, the rupert of France.
Drawing his sabre he cried out, "Let
the bravest follow me-" The example
was electric Courage awoke at the
voice of courage Doubt vanished be-
cause the leader had no doubt. The
charge was made, the enemy crushed,
victory won.
To-day there stands waiting in the
south and west as grand an army as
ever brought pride to warrior. 1t only
needs leaders bold and true. Leaders
who can't be bought, or duped, or bull
lied. Leaders who, knowing what the
enemy is, will dash straight against it
and take no rest and make no terms I'M
til that enemy is routed. Leaders who
do not stand aside and shirk danger and
avoid responsibility, but who will dash
to the front; who by example will
dispel doubt and remove hesitation and
who by their courage will win the right
to say, ''let the bravest follow me.'
Given leaders like these there can be no
retreat. We know what we want: let
us take nothing else, with this resolu-
ton strictly adhered to, we draw all our
energies to a focus. All our troops
march upon one point: all our hopes
have common centre: all our energies
concentrated upon one purpose; all our
labors tend to one result: all our leaders
lead in the same direction, and every
member of the reform movement will
breathe the air of confidence, for he
knows just what we are all working for.
.aolia,, braa1c dit-icianc