Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1896-03-06
THE PRESENT OUTLOOK.

The FHESENI VO1AOOA.
CANTON, Feb. 81, 1896.
EDITOR LEADER: AS the political
campaign approaches, the public pulse
becomes more and more feverish,. and es-
pecially is this true Of the present time
when all thinkers believe will come a cri-
sis in governmental affairs which shall
be Of no mean importance.
The American nation stands to-day on
the very verge of what may prove the
greatest Of civil strife which has ever
rent an oppressed land. A strife in which
all should be busily engaged, carrying
before them the invincible banner of
Right before so called patriotism.
u say the greatest strife ever known,
because I believe 1t will result IN not only
in betterment of present conditions, but
also furnish grand exception to the gen
.eral rule that all reforms must tread their
way through bleod and carnage.
But you may 'ask why we may hope
for anything better than second French
,Revolutlon.
In my mind we have mazy reasons to
hope for bleodless settlement OF the
present trouble.
First. Man shas grown to be more
sensible being chan ever. and has seen TIE
folly and comparative futilioy of war.
Second Unlike in most reforms, the
propegators Of this one know just what
they want and,see plausible way Of get
ting it. They are no longer led headlong
in revolt or insurrection, but have started
out on plan of reform by. education, a
plan previously impossible, and possible
now only in few countries, and even in
those it is a deplorable faot,that SO many
obstacles are met with that the greatest
degree Of persistence is required to accom-
pllsh anything.
1t has been the universal law that q
.'crank" was t., be laughed ut, ridiculed.
prosecuted, and considered an enemy to
the government; and now since that term
has been applied to any one who advan-
ces new idea, it is not to be wondered At
that the peoples party and Its members
come in for good share OF .ridicule.
say ridicule,for is not this the greatest
and in fact the only obstacle with which
we meet. barring ignorance? Do men
try to meet reform principles. on the field
No. and here ns just why
reforms are SO long coming about, while
an evil can develop to such a degree be-
fore suppressed.
No sooner has anew idea been promul-
gated than from every side comes the cry,
''crank, calamity ,howler," anarchist"
climatic, or any other anathema hurled
from the lips Of those who newer read.
probably much less heard Of the princi-
Piles advocated, nor have understood the
matters in question.
How gladly would Luther, the great
calamity howler" aod @:crank" OF the
flfteenoh century, have met on the stand
The pope himself, or the learned hypo-
scribes of the world aud against them
have supported his condemned thesis.
How happy his followers would have
been to have supported his doctrine
against all cool arguments.
But was even consideration of their
'equest or perusal OF their doctrine toler-
tied? No. The same methods used
against reforms today was practiced.
And those who so long had been led
" the syrant's hand, did they coolly con-
ider the means proposed for their good? ?
No, noble patriots that they were! 1t
vas not until the hand Of extortion had
eft them with aa empty stomach that
hey began to think they had right to
i've.
The reformation had to surmount such
bstacles as no reform ever did nor prob
bly, ever will, but in the end victory |
rowned its toilsome progress; and now
Who will question its justness?
So brother reformers, have we not rea-
on to feel encouraged at our progress
ather than disheartened by rdicule
which has ALWAYS been the weapon of
ools) hurled at us?
We have been accused of lack Of love
or our country; lack Of patriotism.
Now don't think there is man on
iod's green earth who does not love the
md which gave him birth AID affords
i'm sustainance: But If patriotism means,
S generally interpreted, a fond regard
or the shystes, who pose as the repre-
entative of the people, then say patriot