The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1894-10-04
COMMUNICATION.

The Coxey movement has opened the
eyes of the people Of the United States
and enabled them to see that the cOun-
try is in state of great political unrest
and great many realize that political
crisis is at hand, and that political
revolution is inevitable. The eXhisting
order of things cannot much longer
endure. The producers, termed by
Lincoln "the plain people" have about
reached the limit of forbearance. The
principle termed the "Divine right of
Kings" has been carried too far and the
masses will no longer submit to being
robbed of the fruits of their labor. The
people realize that Capitalization Of
power is dangerous and that class legis-
lation is a menace to individuals as we'll
as political liberty, and are beginning
to assert their rights, in independent
action.
In times of great political strain our
republican institutions are in peril from
two sources, defeat of right principles
and lin case of popular victory,) the
misguided zeal of extremists. In order
that the full fruits of successful popu-
lar movement may be garnered in, it is
necessary that conservative leaders
shall guide the movement and exercise
a wholesome restraint upon the most
radical, who, without restraint, are apt
to go beyond safe limits and commit
their party to disasterous policies.
Let us profit by the lesson taught by
the bloody aftermath of the French
Revolution and advocate moderation;
zeal is commendable but bigotry is ex-
ecrable The condition that made John
Browns raid possible, made the repub-
lican party necessary and placed it in
power. The conditions that made the
Coxey movement possible made the
Peoples Party necessary, and history
repeats itself.
General truths will apply to local
matters in ratio ofimportance, therefore
let us be fair and just, avoiding person.
alities in our Citizens campaign. Our
adversaries are our neighbors, and
whatever has been the results of their
policies and methods in the manage
ment of comfy affairs, let us be charit-
able and believe, if possible, that the
wrong that has been done to the people
of this county has been the result of
misaprihension on the part of some of
our servants, rather than premeditated
villiany on the part of one. Let us not
hesitate to criticise the official acts of
those in office, if they are open to criti-
cism, but let us do it in as friendly a
spirit and gentlemanly manner as
possible. The present is big with prom
Use of better things and it rests with us
to hasten or retard the birth of the new
era. Let us go into this campaign strong
in our own convictions, trusting In
honorable methods for success. Let US
fight this battle for reform with clean
tongues, so that when the victory is
gained (as gained it will be- we can
review the methods that got us that
victory without pang of regret or a
blush of shame.
1t is to be hoped that the Citizens
candidates will set an example of self
forgetfulness and stand together, as one
man, for the success of the whole ticket
and the vindication of popular princi-
pies. Let us be "wise as serpants yet
gentle as doves.n Let no one who has
"the greatest good to the greatest num-
ber'' at heart relax their vigilance for
eternal vigilance is the price of liberty
e. E. ALLEN.
*THE DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS
1t is the principle that says, "You
work and toll, and earn bread and I'll
eat it. No matter in what shape it
L