Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1896-04-10
SENATOR KYLE
WRITES the LEADER.

WRITES The LEADER.
EDlTOR FARMERS LEADER:
MY DEAR SIR: Knowing your deep
interest in the welfare of the peoples
party, beg leave to say a few words
through your columns to the voters of our
state and especially to members OF our
own party.
The reform movement in the United
States IS gaining ground more rapidly
than even its warmest friends could have
hoped for u year ago. Never before haze
the people Of the east been so thoroughly
aroused or the moneyed power so anxious
as they are at present. Thousands OF
business men are coming to realize that
the depreciation Of their property is the
result Of q rising standard OF value and
are enlisting under the banner OF free
silver. 1 could mention in this list some
of the most prominent financiers Of the
east. Scores of large manufacturers are
declaring for free silver, inasmuch as they
know that no tariff law. even at Mckinley
rates, will enable them to compete with
Japan and other eastern naGions, who, in
addition to cheap labor, are upon silver
basis and thus have one huRdred percent.
advantage of US. The gold standard
men have smelled the battle from affair."
that the reform elements may join issues
at st Louis. They have discarded demo
cracy which has sustained them so we'll,
only because it can render no moreservice
and have turned, full Of hope, to the
republican party to sustain them in this
last great struggle Of the American peo-
pie. The money power is ut last arrayed
against the masses of the people @n well
defined conflict, and the republican party
las become the chosen tool OF fmonopolies,
trusts and corporations, and reformers,
notably silver men, who expect to realize
through this party, returning prosperity
and deliverance from the terrible oppres-
sions to which agriculture has been sub
ject, are very short sighted and have
failed to comprehend the Unsuitable greed
OF plutocrsts.
There are but two parties today. Those
who believe in the dear dollar and an
standard OF value, and those
who wish a restoration Of, the standard of
our fathers, according to which eur trans
actions have been made for many genera
uons. People must array themselves on
one side or che other and do it soon or
there are serious times in store for us as
4 nation.
Only short time since, received
letter from western farmer, a level
headed, conservative American citizen,
who, after rccounting his woes, said that
he was through and was ''now ready to
shoulder his gun"
A prominent republican member Of
congress recently recounted to me the
condition of western agriculture and the
outlook for our farmers, and wound up
with the expression, ''there is something
'roJtea in Denmark and the people know
it,
The chairman of the house committee
IN labor, a wealthy, conservative gentle
nan Of hlgh character. stated to me few
lay ago, 10 a serious conversation, that
'if matters were allowed to go as they are
low. our Republic would not stand 25
'ears longer"
Scores of thoughtful men IN all parties
,elieve the same. In the face of this can
We longer debate with ourselves as re-
.ards duty?
It is folly when our welfare and that of
'ur children is involved to argue for
and split ourselves into dozen
actions because we cannot agree as to all
he planks that should be embodied in
RATIONAL or state platforms. Five hundred
eforms can be named, all of which are
,ood, but it would take century to unite
IL the people if they were embraced in
me platform.
Our efforts must be directed toward
lniOn. Both state ana national platforms
must be short and decisive and yet include
he fundamental issues. In my judgment
would be we'll to confine our state cam
aign to the financial question, including:
First. Free silver. declaration against
he issue of bonds, the issue Of all paper
urrency by the government direct and IN
efficient quantity to bring our circula-