The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-01-22
A STRONG LETTER.
A FARMERS IDEAS DOTTED DOWN
FOR HIS BROTHER FARMERS-UN-
LINED POETRY


FOR HIS BROTHER FARMERS-UN-
LINED POETRY.
Fellow Farmers-Dont you know that
before each recurring election all over this
state, In every section thereof. the Repub-
leans and Democrats will fight each other
like dogs and cats, each claiming to be the
farmers real friend. and declaring that
the other does not even pretend to protect
you from the plundering thieves who are
planning to rob you whilst you sleep? You
ought to know. if you would but stop to
think, that the object of both these old par
ties is to keep the people divided by some
national issue. as they always do (say the
tariff. for instance) and which both par
ties know to be a sham, but they use it
to carry out their plan of binding the
chains more tightly around the toiling
slaves that till the ground.
Then your votes are counted and the
battle is over and they don't need to use
you for two years more, they will tell you
to abandon politics and go to raising cat
tie and horses and pigs; yes, return to the
same old ruts of your daily toll, and let the
thieves divide the spoil. But for the great
fight you have made they can't spare you
dime. but they will promise you all office
at some future time, provided you stand
by the party
You ought to know that it is a matter of
moment to you which party is elected;
that both the old parties are one great COM
bination, enabled by your votes to con-
troll legislation, not alone of the states,
but also Of the nation; and they do so con-
troll it as you know to your cost, till by
your partisan squabbles your liberty is
lost But you must not hold the old party
leaders to blame; you yourself have ena-
bled them to rivet your chains; and you
may now struggle to break them, but your
struggles will be vain.
1t is sad, but every word I write is true.
But it is more sad to think that there is
no hope in sight Of relief from the burdens
Of which you complain, while by your old
party gods you are bound to remain. Who
are the men who create this turmoil? Are
they not the old party leaders, who are
seeking the spoil? Do you know of one
old party adherent you elect to make laws
who, to build up his party, would not sell
out your cause? Do you know of one old
party newspaper in all this broad nation
that would not sell it's influence to enrich
corporations? Do you know of a combine
(name one if you do) that was not formed
for the express purpose of plundering you?
Do you know of law passed for your pro-
lection that is not evaded by the same
combinations? Do you know of a banker
or broker or business man who is not
ready to fleece you whenever he can?
Dou you know Of a single money-lender
mame one if you cam, who does not re-
joice at the poverty Of every poor man,
because he knows that when the poor
farmer is in tight place he will have
to borrow his money at exOrbitant rates?
And, fellow farmers, have you ever
heard of a man who makes his living by
preaching Gods word who would de-
nounce from his pulpit those plundering
thieves? No; it might interfere with his
fat salary. And do you know that to
none of this class mentioned need you
fn Of f1o< hr,r~1 ,s.,l,
on you are laid that in this great battle
for freedom you must stand alone in de-
Tense of your freedom, your family and
home. And if you want to succeed
against such tremendous odds you must
cease to worship at the altar of your old
party gods.
Remember the great issue that con-
Germs you most is the protection of
your homes from this plundering host
that governs in this land in this genera
ton, and like some dreadful plague have
spread over the nation; and in their
tracks have created the most dire desc
lation. You see yourselves plundered
and your homes confiscated; yourselves
and your children must become separat-
ed, your children must fly from that dear
old homestead and go to the cities to
earn their bread. Whilst you, broken
down and disheartened. may yet cling to
that spot where, with bright hopes for the
future, you had cast your lot: but those
hopes have vanished like all your air
castles, and instead of being freemen
you find yourselves vasals-neither car
ing nor daring your rights to maintain.
The old party whip has kept you in
chains, like the sword of Damocles it
hangs over your head, and man is but
slave when manhood is fed. Then wake
up: pray wake up; whilst there is one ray
of hope that with vast horde of plumber
ers you are yet able to cope. Shake off
that cursed lethargy: tear the scales
from your eyes: above partisan squab-
bles seek once more to rise; be no longer
misled by old party lies. Can't you see
you're the prey Of all rings and combines
and so will continue whilst divided on old
party lines? Can't you learn by expert
ence for once and for all that united you
stand and divided you fall?
JAMES MURPHY
Faribault, Rice Co., MINI.