The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1892-11-05
Peoples Party Points.
By nrxpER or The xrrcHux s1LvEz cIul

recipes fdTCy IOlllCS.
By A HExpER or THE KErcHuN s1LvE1 CLUB.
Morro:. With firmness toward all; with
malice toward none.
The popplists are evidently lin
itu in Alturas county.
Those who may not have been
quite sure that the third party was q
genuine movement in politics mnst
have been disabused by the late
meetings in HALEY and Ketchum.
If spontaneity and enthusiasm are
evidence of new movements here
were all the signs. Patriotic pride
and fraternal fellowship swelled the
breasts Of those in line. And we'll
there might! For all felt more or
less clearly, that here was the begin
ming for them of fellowship in a
great political party.
It was a visible evidence, to old
party men and to new, that there
was to be really a fresh departure
in national politics. And accounts
from all parts Of the United States
show similar steady growing con-
viction and enthusiasm in the move
ment. Let the old party leaders
and press no longer deceive them
selves with the hope that it is a
transient wave; but adjust their
calculations to the new factor in
politics. It will not down after
November s, 1892; but must be
reckoned with from now on, until
its mission is performed.
What is that mission? Is it not
the solution of the capitol and
labor" question? Is it not new
and better equipped departure to-
ward democracy complete?
1t seems that fresh studies into
history, from the point of view of
new social science, has brought to
light the fact that there were great
self-respecting trades unions among
the Romans for at least 700 years
before Christ, who were in posses
sion of the ballot, and so able to
protect the rights of labor.
l will quote some paragraphs from
a recent penetrative student and
writer on this subject. First, as to
the existence of such unions, this
writer says: "The feudal system
was, and so far as it fingers with
trade unions, still is that condition
of the human race in which the
common people, especially the
working classes, have been kept in
a slavish, willing dependency by all
sorts of masters, from the king or
the lord down to the ordinary boss.
Ages of this underling state of mind
have permanently fixed an anti
political, beggarly clause into their
rules and bylaws. Throughout the
middle ages immense numbers of
them were organized into what may
be called non-voting or non-politi-
cal guilds, to distinguish them from
the more ancient trade unions of
the Roman type, who were voting
brotherhoods, receiving sanction
and employment from the state.
The difference is almost as great as
that between the two colors, black
and white. There is nothing left
in the world when I except the new
growth since 1924, of the great
British trade union system, just
now so rapidly developing, to even
compare with that ancient form
which was running in its pure force
at least 700 years before Christ
When King Numa, who was
peace-maker, took possession of
Rome he divided these brotherhood
unions of workers into various
trades and gave them the work of
the State to do. "This they did for
500 years in peace and prosperity
and | have evidence that they
worked only eight hours per day,
that while the high class lived in
riot and concubinage, they mar
red and raised families very much
as we do now; had regular meet
ngs, discussed questions of social
economy, voted at elections, espec-
ally for the officers OF the boards
Of public works which were to give
hem labor, and by these means
brought into the world by slow de-
yrees the great emancipation per-
cd. They were true originators Of
he now prevailing family arrange
nent of the Aryan Christians. they
we're all defendants of the slave
aces, but those organized were
freedmen. They prepared the
world for this brighter age of theo-
'etical freedom. They were our
rue forefathers. Before them ev-