The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-03-20
THE TRUTH ABOUT REPUBIICANIsM.

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THE TRUTH ABOUT REPUBLICANIsM.
Every republican speaker, statesman
and editor dwells ever on the thread
bare theme Of what the republican
party has done for the nation, farmer
and Iaborer. This oft repeated dogma
tism has been dinned into the ears Of a
credulous constituency so persistently
that it has blinded them to the decep-
ton that has been practiced, and even
the apostles of republicanism have be-
come 50 imbued with the false doctrine
they have taught that they, themselves,
have become to believe the unfounded
and uutruthful statements that have
been their stock in trade for a quarter
Of a century.
Occasionally, however, a republican
is found whose eyes can pierce the
cloak Of fraud and whose tongue still is
capable of expressing the impressions
formed by unprecedented experience.
Hon. William Hackney, former Kan
sas republican politician, but now of
Ohio, has strung up the golden harp of
truth, and in a letter to the Cleveland
Recorder, has told some undeniable
truths about the republican party. In
this letter Mr.. Hackney says:
The development of the financial and indus
trial legislation of this country has been under
the control of the republican party since the war.
For moro than twenty years the conditions of
the masses have grown from bad to worse.
Every bond that has been issued by Cleveland's
administration was under republican laws, and
his power to do so would have been taken from
him but for republican votes.
Every trust and combine having for its object
the forcing up of prices and the forcing down of
labor has been done under republican laws.
Every railway that has been taken from Ameri-
cans and turned over to English holders, and
every raise in fFeights and reduction of wages
has been done under republican law
Every laborer that has been confined in Jail
without trial under the order of an iFresponsi-
bic United States judge was done under a re-
publican law passed ostensibly for his protection
and safety, Only few days ago we were in
formed by morning paper in this city that
workingmen in droyes weFo passing from one
manufacturer to another begging for labor to
earn food for their families, You have shown
the fearful condition of labor in the sweat shops
of this city.
Only last Sunday night the Rev, DR.. Hayden
from the pulpit in this city, Numbered into the
ears of his congregation that ''the labor unions
are right in organizing. Combinations must be
met by combination or their servitude is hope
less. Business is selfish, and it tends to this
dedication of self and that means lawlessness.
Combination means a possibility for evil, as
well as good. We have seen both, but no more
wanton evil on the side of labor than of capital,
with far more excuse for labor. The unions are
organized in self defense, and for the better
ment of their condition and the condition Of
their families, They viii get their rights only
by self-assertion. Do they need to better their
condition. God knows they do"
1t was these conditions which caused the
masses to defeat Blaine and elect Cleveland.
It was the Iatter's utterances derogatory of the
patriotism and sacrifices of the soldiers that de-
feated him and elected Harrison on platform
pledged to reform in our finances and reduction
Of tariff 1t was the betrayal of that trust and
the passage of the Mckinley law whereby the
manufacturer was enriched and labor hampered
that caused them to defeat Harrison and try
Cleveland once more. And when it is remember
| ed that the Wilson tariff law is the work of the
republicans and democrats alike, with John
Sherman and Cal Brice leading the joint repub-
lican and democratic forces, and that it and the
repeal Of the silver law by the same interests are
the only changes that have been made in nation
al legislation, it would seem as if it were about
time for republicans 20 look around and see how
and from whence votes are to come with which
they can elect a republican president next fall
And especially is this so when it is remembered
! that sixteen republican senators have signed a
pledge that there shall be no further tariff legis
lation until some attention is paid to our finan.
| cial necessities.
/ Every day over this broad land is heard the
voice of contention for place and peIf among re
publican leaders and newspapers. What ha.
/ become of that leadership which made the great
names of Lincoln, Chase, Seward, Trumbull
Sumner, Doolittle, Phillips, BeecheF Garrison
and the hosts who have gone with them either
out of the party or into the grave? Why quarre
who shall have the votes in the coming nationa
convention from the south and west whe1
neither Mckinley, Reed, Allison or any of tht
other gold-bug followers and financial straddler
who walk in the infamous shadow made by JohI
Sherman can hope to set an electoral vote from
that quarter3 The leadership in evidence is o
that character that has twice overthrown re
publicanism. 1t is a leadership that must, il
the end, do it again. McKinleyism met it
Waterloo in 1S92; must it have its st. Helena be
fore it viii learn wisdOm7
Are we to continue to issue bonds IN time o
peace3 Are we to be finally and forever yoked t,
England's system Of finance; she our credito
and we her debtor7
These are vital questions Of the hour to which
craftsmanship must address itself, and none 0
the names mentioned above viii satisfy tn,
masses.
The split in the Salvation army is
commendable action. It is bad enough
ohave English fictsfio7, in 1nanco anC