Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1895-04-03
DECLARE YOURSELF,
PEOPLE ARE DISCOVERING PER-
VERSIONS OF WEALTH.

The Time Has Come for the Comm ON
People to Declare Themselves Inde-
pendent of the Money Power and
European Domination.
When In the course of plutocratic
despotism 1t becomes necessary for the
oppressed to wipe out the oppressor
and assume the social freedom and
prosperity to which the production of
wealth and progress entitle the people
II Is out fair warning that they notify
the enemy OF their demands and give
II a chance to yield peaceably, If pos
sible.
We still hold these truths self evil
dent: THAT all men are created equal;
that they are endowed by their creator
with certain 1nalienable rights; that
among these are life, liberty and the
pursuit Of happiness; that to secure
these rights governments are insti-
tuted among men, deriving their just
powers only from the consent Of the
governed. That whenever any form
OF government becomes destructive of
these ends it is the right of the people
70 alter or abolish it, and to institute
new government" laying it's founda-
lions upon such new and old princi-
pies as experience proves good or as,
measured by the principle Of justice
to all concerned, seem best.
Conservatism Is a good thing, but
when 1t degenerates into mere formal
cowardice, ignorance and dead hero
worship, without consideration of the
future or feeling for present condi-
tons, then outraged and suffering hui
manity demands hearing, and must
be heard, whether it speaks through
the press. from the platform, the pull
pit the doorstep or the street corner.
When the despotism of usury and
usurping money power turns the useful
toiling masses into mere slaves for its
own greedy qualification, then JUS
tice. humanity and loyalty to man and
God, commands the people to throw off
the yoke and create new laws guaran-
teeing equal rights to all and special
privileges to none.
The history of plutocracy is a blood
curdling revelation of bribery, cor
ruption and blatant deception ending
with chapter of open defiance, heart
less oppression, starvation and MUIR
der.
1t has prevented the passage of laws
most wholesome and necessary for the
common good.
1t has delayed laws of pressing i'm
portance to speculate in the products
of labor.
1t has purchased representatives of
the people to prevent the passage of
laws for the benefit of the masses.
1t has made it an object for judges
and lawyers to work for fees only.
1t has created a multitude of useless
high salaried offices.
It has in time of peace caused the
shooting down of starving men, who
asked for bread.
It has forced the calling of congress
in special session to demonetize silver
and double the debts of the people.
1t has manipulated the land laws,
and stolen enough land to support ten
million people in honest industry.
It has prevented the administration
of justice by controlling the judiciary
power.
It has made Pinkerton thugs indie
pendent Of civil power.
It has combined with the English
money power to force the American
people into debt and steal the products
of their labor through usury.
It is building huge fortresses, or
ganizing rich mems sons into military
companies, demanding an increase of
the army and navy and the building Of
battle ships, torpedo boats and other
equipments of war for use against the
people Of our own government.
It wants to train up our boys to be
soldiers instead of useful citizens.
1t protects by mock trial lecherous
rich men who ought to be imprisoned
for life.
1t taxes poor Americans to protect
rich manufacturers who spend their
money in Europe.
It appoints receivers to build up
swindling corporations, and sends
poor men to Jail for debt.
1t discourages Independent thought
and free speech.
1t imposes taxes on labor to support
idleness.
1t defies the constitution. laws and
government by the people.
1t wants to abolish government
money and institute bank money.
1t has murdered our sons, prosti-
tuted our daughters, stolen our homes
and starved our fathers and mothers.
1t is at this time planning to force
the issue of more bonds to further en-
slave the people, and trying to force
the establishment of banking sys-
tenn ten times worse than the present
one.
1t has maintained partisan delusion
and enmity among the people to keep
them from discovering the real enemy.
The people have petitioned. changed
parties, worked. hoped, prayed and
have been disappointed, injured, in
suited and oppressed until they are
growing desperately in earnest.
We have been proud of the wealth
Of our country, and pointed to our rich
men as examples of the prosperity of
America.
But we are at last discovering the
perversion Of wealth. We have seen
signs of the coming climax for some
time. and have warned them to go
slow.
We have appealed to their patriot
ism and love Of American equality and
brotherhood. They have laughed at
our calamity bowling" until their own
laughter is echoed back in q Shrek of
enraged humanity driven back to its
animal nature by being hunted as wild
animals.