The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-12-05
&
THE ELECfION.

Some Renectiona on the Result and
It's Effects.
To the Editor:
The result of the election is no longer an
enigma; it is no longer matter of specula-
ton. The cold fact STAKES us in the face
that we are beaten, and though there may
be Populists that can Contemplate this de-
feat with comparative nJhchalence or indif-
ference 1 am not among that number and
I do not hesitate to make this admission;
but the consolation 1 derive from the con-
temptation is in the fact that by the union
of the two plutocratic parties to defeat the
POpulists the only party that could bring
relief to the people, one has permanently
sunk its individuality as a party and gone
from earth forever, and the future must
decide where the larger portion of that de-
funct organization will tie up. On Wednes
day after. the election when the situation
became apparent, 1 felt very much as did
an old timer in Minneapolis, an eccentric
character bubbling over with mirth, jokes
and harmless tricks, who ran a large paint
shop, and being a master of fancy work
he had sign painting in abundance. Among
the numerous callers at his shop was a GER
tain divine from the South, who visit
ing the city. One day as he was putting on
the finishing stroke to the last letter Of
very beautiful sign, which he had spent
much time, the fastening gave way, precip-
itating the sign, butter side down, right into
the sand and dirt. Instantly turning to the
parson he exclaimed with great emotion:
Get OUT get out of here l say!' What
have l DONE says the parson that you
should treat me in this manner?" II never
swear the presence of preachers
ladies'" said he, land so I want you to
leave while l do this damned thing JUS
tice," with great emphasis on those three
words. This. Mr.. Editor. is about how l
| felt when heard the news, though 1 never
| indulge in that sort of recreation, l should
| have felt justified if l could only have got
| rid of the hearers of the parson. You made
one of the most vigorous campaigns ever
made in this or any other state, and when
consider the terrible condition of the
| country, of blighted hopes and ruined
| homes, the direct result of Republican
| misrule, intensified by Democratic imbe-
| cilityi and then consider how ably and
| lacidly the cruel state Of affairs was set
forth in the Representative, warning the
people to flee from the wrath to come, and
| as "a result of this to, see the senseless
| herd rush in countless thousands to the
| polls to pat the hand that smote them, you
| will not blame me for feeling above
stated. 1t is the most unreasonable result
| in political history; and if the terrible con-
| sequences could be visited those who
| have done the hellish work l would say
| Amen But we are all in the current,
| tending in one and the same direction, and
| the innocent must suffer with the authors
| of this damnable outrage. ! fondly hope,
| Mr.. Editor, that the coming legislature will
SO amend the voting law that no man shall
| vote who cannot do so without the aid of
another. While the Peoples party is my
| party from start tD finish, as a reform
|
| very important matter. Il care not where
a man is born. His birthplace cuts no
| figure whatever. 1t is the intelligence Of
the country that shsuld 10 the voting, not
| cannot read and thus infbrm himself to
| the current affairs of TIE times how can
| he vote intelligently? Such man is in
the market for the highest bidder. Hav-
| ing no opinion of his own, he is depend
| ent upon the political deina gogue who will
| rob him of the air he breathes if pssble
| The Peoples party press has most elo-
| quently portrayed our condition, its causes
| and it's cure; but the great preponderance
| of these pearls have. simply been cast be-
| fore swine; and nothing but a club or
| the fear of the law will keep certain char
| acters within reasonable bounds Il pray
| God that this club they have raised over
| the peoples heads in giving Shylock an
| other lease of power will fall and smite
| them with such force and effect as to
| bring them to their senses ere they again
| exercise the most sacred privilege vouch-
| Safed to a freeman. Let it be the mission
| of our party to teach that to vote de-
| mands manhood, intelligence. Now while
| the singing injustice of this vote almost
| unnerves me, it is some compensation to
| feel that our party has made great gains,
| and that these men have studied the con-
| dition of affairs and have had the manli-
| ness and sense of the right and independ-
| ence to turn their backs the authors of
| their cOuntry's ruin. From this we
| may reasonably look for still greater
| achievements. For this let us all work
and never weary.
E w. B. HARVEY.
Elk River Nov. Is.