Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-10-01
The Preachers of Poverty.

the leaders of that organization led
them to believe that the agricultural
depression then existing should be
attributed to the legislation of the
republican party, or to its failure to
pass certain necessary laws in the
interest of the tillers of the soil. A
great many of them actually believed
that the poor crops and ruinously low
prices of farm products had in some
way been brought about by the neglect
or indifference of the republican ad-
ministration. The idea was unreason-
able, but it was pounded into their
heads by INSCRIPTIONS politicians who
desire, to get themselves safely and
comfortably seated in the lucrative
offices within the gift Of the voters
before the latter should discover the
delusion. 1t was impossible to con-
vince the farmers that they were being
deceived by these demagOgues. They
afforded the alliance and heard and
read nothing but the poisonous doc
tribe of defamation and calamity.
And for fear some of them might
exercise their free and unJrammeled
right to vote, the leaders of the ALI
ance required members to solemnly
pledge themselves under oath to vote
for the nominees of the party. And
every member was thus pooled" the
evening before election. This political
tyranny was contrary to the teachings
and practices of all republicans, but
they were willing to undergo this
species of political slavery, in order
that they might vote together as a
class in condemnation of this imagin-
airy want of respect for their rights by
the party in power. They were assured
by such INSCRIPTIONS leaders as John
Davis, Jerry Simpson, Mrs. Lease, j.
F. Willis, E. Z. Butcher, II. Fl. Nc
Donald, B. NJ. Anderson, R. F. Russell
and men of like ilk that it was only
I necessary for the triumph of the ALI
ance party in order that crops might be
good and money abundant. 1t never
occurred to them that the government
bad very little to do with either the
rains or the growing of the crops. But
sc'ace they have had an opportunity to
think aboEt these matters for them
selves, and look into the sephls'r' Oh
Pefferism and defamation, things haze
materially changed. There has been
no change in the party in power yet
nature has yielded us good crops on an
average and prices are higher and more
remunerative than they have been for
years. In proportion to the capital
invested farmers are making more
money this year than any other class in
the country. Every position taken by
these calamity howleTs has been refuted
by circumstances which they could not
control. The intelligent farmers are
awake to the fact that the evils OF
which they complained was not due to
any legislation which Disseminated
against their interests.
There is no longer any reason why a
republican should further follow the
lead of these strange gods, who have
come into their midst with this inces-
SAINT calamity cry. They are fast dis
covering the infamous deception that
has been practiced upon them by these
INSCRIPTIONS demagogues, and We
shall not be surprised if the calamity
shriekers receive such a Tebuke III
November next as will forever drive
them from existence as a political
organization. The good name, the
credit and the honor of the state of
Kansas demand their complete obliter-
alton as political factor in our midst.