The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-05-09
COXEYISM DISCUSSED.


Editor Representative:
What of Coxey's army? They seem to
create more excitement than anything else
at present The people are very anxious to
get the latest news Of their movements and
what their actions will lead to. What will
be their reception when they reach the halls
of congress? They are, as | learn, Ameri-
can citizens and most of them American
born. They are poor men or they would
not be looking for work. Since when was
poverty considered crime? 1t is a mis-
fortune of which cur class legislation is the
principle cause. Have they, as citizens oi
this republic, a right to petition congress
Is there a better plan for their Immediate
relief than they propose, viz: to labor for
the public and be paid from the peoples
money-legal tender paper money? Some
may think that congress has no authority
to issue paper money; others think that our
national treasurer had no authority to- sell
bonds in exchange for gold and among the
number Mr.. Cleveland thinks he needs
BETTER POWER THAN NOW EXISTS
TO ISSUE BONDS,
! and urges congress to grant him that
power-implying that congress can pass a
law authorizing the issue of interest-bear-
ing bonds. Then why not the power to is.
sue paper money, not bearing interest
No one would deny the right of the people
agents to declare war if necessary, employ
men to take the life of the enemy and de,
stroy their wealth in every way possible
, then why not have the power
ITO PROMOTE THE GENERAL VEL
FARE.n Il
to create wealth, save life and promote the
general welfare of So large a share of our
fellow citizens who have committed nc
crime, broken law? They are not vaga.
bonds, thieves even lbra wlers; there is
no evidence that they are not law abiding
citizens and only ask relief in a proper way
and propose to earn the money they ask
for; they do not solicit charity; they arc
able and willing to. labor for the public
good simply begging of their fellow men
to give them leave to toll To our shame
be it said there are 4,000 coo of that army
when they all fall in line and the idea OF
the 'commonweal' is catching as the
measles. Who knows how soon it will be-
come epidemic and How many more will be
taken with it, and where will it end; and
who will be able to control it if once il
ca tches the bit in it's teeth? VIII some
great leader quote Cromwell to our parlia.
ment if they turn a; deaf ear to their de.
mands? a. --s---
; History is liable to repeat itself, with
variations. Human nature is much alike
in all ages and there is limit to human
endurance There is a point where it ceases
to be second among the virtues. and when
that point is passed people will refuse
longer to supinely serve. They will demand
their natural rights with a word and a blow,
and they will come near together that
1T Will require trained ear to tell which
came first. The commonwealers are at
tracing attention and sympathy, and are
helped by the prayers of the righteous.
After all there is a great deal of the milk
OF human kindness in the makeup of our
people, and it gives down when the heart
beats for suffering brotherhood; when all
realize that justice is only another name
for righteousness. We read that jehovah S
heart was touched at the danger of ten
righteous men, and he promised to save
the city for their sakes if that number
could be found. Let us hope that there are
enough just men that fear to do evil to
save our beloved country from the fate of
nations that heard not the cry of the
needy, but hardened their hearts in selfish
ness.
J If this administration found way to
prevent the gold reserve from being de-
pleted, let us hope they will find way to
relieve the great army of the unemployed,
whose lettering limbs have borne them to
our capital and laid their petitions before
congress in person." Let them be heard
and treated tenderly and respectfully as
sovereigns in distress, VINO. if kept alive
the, first right that government is in duty
before the right of property, or even the
redemption of certificates of silver
deposits. Remember it is only live
sovereigns that vote, and their
votes . will show their appreciation of
justice or the reverse, and not alone these
representatives of citizens in distress, but
millions Of others not yet brought to such
eXtremities who believe they require and
deserve way out of their condition. "And
as in duty bound will ever pray .,,.4
JONAS H. HOWE.