The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1891-03-07
THE EAST AND the WEST.
The Cleavage Between the Two is
Perceptible.

The Cleavage Between the Two is
Perceptible.
The following article entitled
"The East and the West" is from
the pen of Senator John ]. Ingalls,
"The republican party is under
going a process of augmentation.
The cleavage between the east and
the west is perceptible and may be-
come complete. The differences be-
tween the two sections result from
environment, and I fear are funda-
mental. Reconciliation is impos-
sible, except by concessions, which
would be equivalent to surrender,
and this is not to be anticipated. |
do not regard the movement which,
under various names, is going on
in the west and south as casual,
sporadic or temporary. 1t is an
organization of the laboring, pro-
ducing and agricultural classes for
their own protection. 1t is not yet
an array against wealth, property,
corporations or capital. So far it
is strictly defensive, but there are
enormous possibilities of mischief.
Derision, ridicule and denunciation
are not wise. Reason, argument,
conference, propitiation would be
better. 1t is well to be careful in
handling dynamite, especially when
it happens to be intelligent, and has
a grievance, real or imaginary. The
men of the east who look upon it
all with an air of amused and pat
ronizing interest, will find they are
not guided by their customary pen
etration. Politics do not wholly,
nor even largely, account for the
marvellous spread of the movement.
1t must be described as the sudden
appreciation of the power possessed
by every atom in our complex and
extraordinary social fabric. Men
have passed from hazy under
standing Of the right of the indi-
vidual to vote to realization OF
the resistless power of their votes
when combined. The dynamics OF
the western movement are not un-
derstood and appreciated east OF
the Alleghanies. There is dispo-
sition to scoff, sneer and disparage,
which is impolitic and unfortunate
This will intensity the irritation
and aggravate the tendency to sep
aration.
They have learned the lesson Of
the supremacy of numbers-the
power of combination. They have
discovered that they are in the ma.
jority. The movement is spreading
with extraordinary rapidity. Or.
ganization is proceeding in Iowa
Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Mich
igan and Wisconsin. In Ohio 3O,-
600 farmers are already organized
and it is expected that there will be
100000 before the close of the year.
The demand is for more circulating
medium, lower taxation, tariff re.
duction, aud the restriction of cor
porate powers. The agitation and
discomfort have been reinforced by
bad crops, unpropitious seasons,
debts and low prices. An element
that cannot be overlooked is the
dull, brutal and vulgar insolence
and ostentation of the millionaires.
They are vulnerable. They have
not been as sagacious in the use OF
wealth as they have in its acquisi-
ton. On this particular phase OF
the question much might be said
for it would be idle to deny that a
fool with million dollars is more
harmful than a fool with nothing
but poverty to back up his folly
When the day of rigid reckoning
comes, it will be seen the existing
clique of sordid and ambitious mill.
ionaires is suggestively close to the
schemers and tricksters who are
playing upon the passions of the
poor.
II thought at one time coalition
of the west and south was inevitable
but this does not seem likely to oc'
cur. The race question and its
incidents insure the solidity of the
south and its identity with the de-
mocracy as long as the present pol
icy of the republican party contin.
ues. 1t is to dim and unacknowl.
edged perception of this perhaps
that the apathy and indifference OF
the western constituencies to the
election bill is attributable. A re-
adjustment of our political forces
will affect the democrats as well al
the republicans ; both parties will be
compelled to rectify their frontiers
"In Ireland, Germany and Russia
similar agitation exists, but the
menace is not SO appalling. Society
is satisfied there. There are mon
archs, dynasties, standing armies
hereditary establishments and avo
cations afording infinite and form
liable obstacles and barriers tt
disorder. But here every individual
4 is alert and mobile and armed will
the ballot, a terrible projectile i
there are behind it imrelling forces
of hunger, poverty, anger and des
peration. 1t is difficult for tn