The advocate., 1894-02-14

landed on Plymouth Rock, ts still at the helm.
know that when we estimate the power Of
the forces arrayed against US 1t causes many q
brave heart to despair. The money power Of
the world is opposed to US and in 1t we have
all the powerful corporations that are fatten-
ing by special class legislation at our expense.
Through these again we have that tremen-
dOus factor, with comparatively few excep-
tions, the great daily and weekly press. In
addition to all this we have the two great
political parties entrenched In power and
ready to cooperate whenever necessary
against US. Little wonder that many faint
heart says, "No use trying, it can't be DONE"
My brother, it must be done Already two great
victories have been fought and won on Ameri-
can soil for humanity and freedom, where the
obstacles seemed quite as great. A little over
a century ago, when Great Britain attempted
to levy tax on tea without their consent, o
mere bagatelle compared with the tribute we
are paying her now, our forefathers rebelled'
They said, Taxation without representa-
ton is injustice and tyranny" The tories
said, "You can't" and pointed to the folly Of a
few colonists, divided, and poor in purse at
tempting to wrest their liberty from the most
powerful nation in the world; but those noble
sires said there Is principle to be defended
and with the God of right and justice on our
side tOe will lgin. For several long years the
clouds hung heavy over the patriotic band,
but with abiding faith in the right they
pressed on toward the goal of freedom. When
at the memorable battle of Trenton the
Hesslan hordes were defeated light began to
dawn and steadily their conquerors marched
on to a glorious victory for humanity in the
establishment Of republican form Of "gov-
ernment of, by, and for the people"
Four score years roll around and again there
Is an agitation for human liberty Four mil
lions Of negroes are held in bondage. 1t was
blot on republic which said, "All men are
born free and equal, with an inallenable right
to life, liberty, and the pursuit Of happiness"
Again the obstacles seemed almost insur-
mountable. The money power, the press, the
two great political parties were all arrayed
against the abolitionists. For four long years
the bloody struggle continued, desolating this
fair land, but in the end the proclamation Of
emancipation was issued, and now no man
omen for the future is that "bleeding Kansas"
is now, as she was then, in the forefront Of
freedoms host, striking for the emancipation
Of labor. While the brave boys in blue and
gray were at the front fighting for their honest
convictions, Mammon secured lien on the
vitals of the nation.
In the words Of Lincoln, "As result Of the
war, corporations have been enthroned and
an era OF corruption in high places will follow,
and the money power of the country will en-
deavor to prolong It's reign by working upon
the prejudices of the people until all wealth
Is aggregated in few hands and the republic
is destroyed" Once more the battle RACES
Again the tories say "you can't" "All the
power Of money, with its aids of entrenched
corporations, political parties and press, are
against you, avowing that you can't win"
Our answer must be, we believe we are right
and that God Is with the right; we will at least
do our duty and try. AS the Hessian horde
are gloating over recent victories secured
through the aid of the Benedict Arnolds Of
congress, many brave hearts are suffering like
unto those Of Valley Forge, but there is no fal-
tering in the ranks; we still press on and on
Kansas, always ready to fight and bleed for
liberty, welcomes US, and In the sunhower
state we meet to plan for the future. In that
more humane contest for victory, by the ballot,
rather than by the bullet, as Of yore, glorious
Kansas leads the van. May we not look upon
the victory for our principles in Kansas in
1899 as the Trenton Of the present conflict?
Kansas, first in war, when that "inalienable
right to life, liberty and the pursuit Of hsppi-
ness" was invaded, is the good Samaritan; ilst
in peace to hold out the welcoming hand to
pour oil in the fostering wounds; to put the
wine of hope to pallid lips; to bury all remem-
branee Of the civil war by sending a
confederate veteran to congress from the