The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1892-05-27
TOWNS EQUALLY INTERESTED.
Why L. It That Their Inhabitants Oppose
tho Reform Movement.

TWINS E4OAII1 IN SNA0A Ill.,
Why Il It That Their Inhabitants Oppose
tho Reform Movement.
Now. the question arises IN the
mind. why should antagonistic senti-
ment and feeling exist between the
people in the country and the towns
people? What can really be the
cause for its existence?
If the agricultural classes of this
state prosper would not the business
men and the towns prosper too? If
the people have by their energy and
industry created abundance of wealth
and necessaries of life and they are
suffering from financial depression,
poverty and loss of their homes is it
not evidence sufficiently demonstra-
tive to convince any reasonable per-
son OF the great need for searching
investigation for the causes? Are we
all DESTROYS to mitigate evil rectify
wrong and have justice reign in our
land and Righteousness among the
people? If SO, why do we not work
more together in unison for its accom-
plishment? We only want what is
right and just and what shall
prove to be the greatest benefit to all
the people collectively. in accordance
with our understanding and highest
conceptions of right If the demands
of the Peoples party were civilized
into law, would the tendency, or effect
be injurious either to the property
owners or business men in towns? The
life and vitality of town must de.
pend upon the ability of the people
to purchase and to pay; and any sys-
tenn that tends towards taking away.
or even interferes with this ability, is
far more injurious to the life and
healthy growth OF towns than business
men-judging from their action-are
apt to realize. We are often very
dull in perceivlng and very slow to
change. I think we should at all
times exercise proper caution and
wisely guard against sudden or ex-
IRENE changes; bnt continual change.
and it seems to me that townspeople,
from their own situation. would
naturally feel the need for change
from the present system to one which
will regulate more correctly and dis
tribute more justly the accommodating
wealth of the country. so that labor and
human effort may be fairly rewarded.
We do not assume to have the wis
dom or the ability to formulate a
perfect system of government but We
do maintain that our present system
can be much improved; and the form
alton OF the Peoples party is purely
for that purpose. What prompts the
townspeople to oppose so strongly the
to many true reformers. Can they
possibly gain anything by showing
hostility to the people in the country
from whom they draw their vitality?
If the country people do not prosper,
the towns cannot especially in an
agricultural state. But there may be,
in the opinion of townspeople a
justifiable cause for an opposition to
the Peoples party principles. If such
be really true. would it not be better
for them, and for us all. if they would
give US definite reasons for their op-
position? We are certainly equally
interested-or we ought to be-in the
prosperity and we'll being of all
We are cognizant of the fact that
for the last two years the election
returns Of Kansas have shown a large
opposition vote in all the towns
against the party. writes John D.
Cooper in the Topeka Advocates; and
a great number of the country people
take it as war against the principles
of the Peoples party and an effort to
defeat them in securing reforms ne
cessary for their relief and also as
showing an antagonism to the interest
of wage workers. Hence sincere and
faithful workers in the reform move
ment who are anxious for closer &C.
menting and a more harmonious union
of the people, and who are to the
best of their ability endeavorlng to
awaken and cultivate the higher vir-
tues teaching unselfishness and ap-
pealing to the nobler principles in
human nature educating the people
in every branch of industry, to de-
velop and thrill their sympathetic ma
ture. causing the chords to vibrate in
harmonious response to every other
industry, and thus advance to hap
pier state of the people and higher
civilization. We ask, is it surprising
if they should look upon the
towns as containing their greatest
enemies; antagonizing principles that
are in harmony with right purity and
Justice and which must lead to far
more desirable condition of the PEG.
pie. both morally and intellectually?
But just for moment let US reverse
our position. and if the mental vision
can penetrate the thick veil of self
ishness perhaps another picture
would reveal itself to clear mind
the farmer appearing the enemy of the
towns, making war upon them antag-
onizing their business interests in
juriug their families and jeopardizing
their homes. We want no division;
it will impede our progress. We
want no war with our fellow man; it
is relic of barbarism. But we do
want to cultivate breadth Of mind,
liberality and charity. We must
| guard against even the semblance of