People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-12-20
LESSONS FROn HISTORY.
Flow Long Can a Republic Endure
Under our Present Conditions.

Another fact of equal nOtOriety is
that very few see the impending evil
till it strikes. 1t is strangely true,
also, that the few who have seen the
coming danger and have lifted their
voices in warning, have been derided
and prosecuted by the many. 1t was
SO 10 Noah's time and during all the
prophetic periods. 1t has been so in
4 modern times. Fifty years ago the
j men who advocated the abolition of
slavery were prosecuted as disturbers
\ Ofthe peace. Ministers whOpreached
h against slavery and warned the peO-
pie Of the coming storm were de-
nOCnced as political preachers and
driven from their pulpits. But the
storm came. 1t has come in all ages.
1t will come again.
According to the census reports
made by republican officials, there
were a million tenant farmers in this
country in 1880, and a million and a
half in 1890. In New York city only
four men in 100 own their homes free
OF incumbrance. In cities of Kansas
Il 5000 population and upwards only
tHenty-f0ur in 100 own their homes
free of incumbrance. Do not these
census facts show that we are rapidly
approaching period when we shall
be a nation of landlords and tenants?
Is not the money Of this country also
rapidly concentrating in the hands of
few?
In great speech delivered in the
United States senate on Janu-
airy IA, 1891, John J. ingalls,. CRITICS
ing the financial policy of this gov
eminent, said; "A financial system.
under which more than One-half of
the enormous wealth of the country,
derived from the bounty of nature
And the labor of all, is owned by a
little more than 10000 people, while
one million American citizens. able
and willing to toll, are homeless
tramps, starving for bread, requires
adjustment. A social system which
enerS to tender, virtuOus and depend
ent women the alternative between
prostitution and suicide as an escape
from beggary is organized crime, for
which some day unrelenting Justice
Will demaDd atonpment and expia-
ton"
Since that speech was delivered
to man, thousands of homes in country
and city, have passed from the pos
session of their owners into the hands
of car italists under mortgage fore
closure; many millions of dollars.
earned by the masses, have ,assed
into the hands of a few money lend
ers, and more than two millions of
msA and women have been thrown
ous OF employment to become trampS.
beggars and criminals. Can the
reader see no danger to this republic
when 10000 of its 65,OOO,OOO people
own mole than One-half Of its enOr-
nous wealth, and the residue Of its
wealth, under the present Infamous
financial policy, rushing like flood
tide into the hands of the few? Can
you see any danger to this republic
when three or four millions of our cit
zens are unemployed and the number
increasing? Can republic long en-
dure such conditions? He is blind
who cannot see a storm gathering.
Who, in the light of history and
present conditions, is more nearly cor
rect, the man who says, There is no
danger; plague upon you calamity
howlerS; you are the disturbers of the
peace OF society: you are socialists
and anarchists; unworthy Of the re-
: spect of decent people," or that other
man whOpOintS out these facts. warns
the people Of impending peril, and
declares that unless the old order of
things, under which the few have le-
gally and Systematically robbed the
masses, can be speedily and radically
changed, the republic is doomed?
Which vote in the late election was
cast in the interest of the perpetuity
.Of this republic? That which helped
to advance the republican party, a
\ party pledged to the old policy under
which corporate power has been en-
tllroned, and under which the wealth
OF the country has been rapidly con-
centrating in few hands for a quar-
ter of a century? or that other vote
which was cast to advance a new
party that seeks to enthrone a new
policy whose best recommendation is
that it is cordially hated and bitterly
opposed by all corporations and by
the entire money power of America
and Europe? How did you vote?
How will you vote IN the future?
C1n you not induce some neighbor
who has hitherto voted with the cor
porationS and the money power to
vote hereafter with the people9 A