The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1893-04-19
The Black Flag.

did thinking individual that unless a
change for better conditions among
the people is Immediately forthcom-
ing. the black flag of reprisal will
be raised by the masses as against
the classes. History is known toore-
peat itself and the course of every
republic seems to have run parallel.
Our own is fast taking on those con-
ditions, which in the past have
marked the downfall of all others.
With clear conception of the
economic situation of this nation,
the methods by which it's laws are
made, interpreted, and admins
tered, no man can truthfully say
that popular government in
this countrvis success. Disguise
it as we may, deprecate it as we
will, and deplore it as we should,
the plain, naked truth remains that
government of the peo-
pie, for the people, and
by the people," no longer re-
mains in this country. The heri-
tage we received, the liberties we
were granted, and the happy, pros
porous conditions we are entitled to,
have been taken from us, and the
plutocrat, the alien, the boodling
scoundrel rules all, owns all, and
enjoys all. Vice fourishes while
virtue dies. Corruption succeeds
while honesty fails, and labor starves
while idleness and folly fattens and
thrives. ALI branches of govern
ment are made to conserve the rich
and powerful. Open offenses, rank
injustice, and foul conspiracies
against both individuals and gov
eminent go UNPUBLISHED, and the only
crime recognized is that of poverty.
The smaller the offense, the greater
the punishment, has become an ak
iom in American Jurisprudence.
The tramp who steals
loaf of bread to keep from starv-
ing is sent to prison, while the man
who steals railroad is sent to the
United States senate. Society, be-
cause of this, is rapidly taking sides,
and the day of accounting is draw
ing near. The muttering thunders
of discomfort are heard in every
section of the country, which, unless
quoted, will burst ere long with de-
structive force and paralyze or de-
stroy the nation. This language is
strong, perhaps too strong for
many, but it is, nevertheless, a
truthful presentment of present
conditions. Let the thoughtless, the
needless, and those who rely on
their purse and position for future
security think and act as they may,
but the candid, far-seeing and
thoughtful should bend their ener-
gies and concentrate their efforts
toward radical and immediate
reforms, or all is lost.
They should drop their conserva-
tism, lay aside their difidence, and
stand boldly in the front and warn
the powers that be of this impend-
ing danger. Congress has refused
to grant any relief and basely be-
trayed the people. The admins
tration has been a willing tool of
plutocracy and joined the crusade
against the rights and privileges Of
the common citizen. The courts
have become prosecutors instead of
judges, and their decisions have be-
come mere matters of merchandise.
Bribery and betrayal, corruption
and infamv, are the passports to
success and emoluments, while
truth and integrity, honesty and
business virtue have become the
mileposts that mark the path to the
poorhouse or the potter's field. This
condition cannot long endure; there
must be some relief, and that soon,
or the black flag will be seen float
ing from every hilltop in the ma
tion.-The Waterman