People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-04-22
"A CALL TO ACTION"


The above is the title of J. B. Weay-
er's last book recently published. The
first impression of the title did not
strike our fancy. 1t seemed to suggest
the idea of a purpose to arouse the
readers minds to merely an emotional
sentiment or an ebullitiOn of passion
over real or imaginary wrongs.
But anyone familiar with the author
his speeches and writings-cOuld not
be seriously biased by such an impres.
sion. Although pressed with cares
and labOrs we have read the book and
the first impression of the name van
ished at almost the first page of read
ing.
If any man or woman of this repub-
lie is at a loss to know why it is that
the authors name is almost univer-
sally and unquestiOnably spoken by the
earnest devOteeS of the great reform
movement as their tO-be nominee for
president in the coming campaign, he
or she should read the book. To them
the "Call to Action" will come as an
impulse from the revelation of a new
horizon by broader and clearer vision
anda new sense of responsibility.
1t is useless to attempt to give the
readers of the VOICE our most thought
full, real and serious impressions of the
book, as we can but feel it to be, under
Providence, as one of the agencies of
our cOuntry's deliverance.
In each of the chapters, the wri-
ter gives the impression in every line
that be has been long an earnest, con-
scientiOus student of his subject, that
he has a clear conception of the mighty
forces that lie inherentin these institu-
tions and in most cases how they are
being more and more dominated by
mOnopolized ayarice to the ruin of the
people, or that he discernS in them
many things inherently wrong, and
that ethically he is clear and striking
in his expressions because he is clear
in his conceptions and positive in con-
yictiOnS.
We consider it, saying the least, one
of the most eloquent books we ever
read. But it is the elOquence that only
can result from clear and mas.
terly conceptions of great and broad
interests; dangers and sufferingS of
countrymen and a common humanity
united with altruistic sympathies and a
heart of philanthrOpic and patriotic de.
vOtiOn.
The true unfolding and presentation
of the subject seems the one ruling de.
sire; the elOquence seems only the
lucid exponent and glow of that clear
mental conception and conviction
which can only be the result of faith.
full observation and study, and the dis.
intereStpdness of conviction. The elO.
Quence is not posed, stereOtyped Ol
manufactured, but incidental--like the
beauty of scenery or the war of a cata
ract.
We believe that there is not one man
in hundred that can faithfully read
almost any chapter in the book and
not feel that he is comparatively, vastly
wiser upon that subject. And with
what mighty interests to every Amerl-
can citizen are the subjects framed.
1t is as free flOm partisan spirit as
it could be possible to faithfully write
upon the subjects. 1t contains no at
tacks upon individuals, but confines
criticisms to "evil systems and baleful
legislation" We have read and re-
read many portions of this book, for to
read is to realize that striking and
and alarming statements are true and
portending results are inevitable unless
averted by a "call to action" which a
reading of the book must inspire. Ev-
cry leading chapter is worth the price
of the book.