Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-02-14

property values in this nation to shrink
not less than 81 900, 100000 by increas-
ing the purchasing power of gold that
much.
1t is not democratic for a president
to accept nomination on platform in
tended by the party to favor bimetal-
lism and after election to openly de-
clare and work for monometallism.
In answer to your fourth question
have to say that after a deliberate re-
view of the present condition of politi-
cal affairs, with the democratic party
hopelessly shattered and in connection
with the republican party unalterably
manipulated and dominated solely in
the interest of the money power, ut
terly regardless of the interest or in
people; when for many years past prin-
ciple has invariably been abandoned,
when CHASING with expediency, when
all along the pathway of the last thirty
years are strewn the wrecks of broken
political faith, and vicious legislation
has been the rule instead of the excep-
ton, it seems to me that party which
is ever regardful of the interest of the
whole people above all other interests,
which prefers to stand by principle for
principles sake, which in the simplic-
ity of its instincts, its methods and prin-
ciples most nearly agrees with the
party of Jefferson, Madison and jack
son is the one known as the peoples
party. 1t is the outgrowth of patri-
otto American sentiment, which is des-
tined to cover out whole country, "as
the waters cover the sea-" It's very ex-
istence is at once an evidence Of and
an indignant protest of nation against
the corruption and degeneracy Of its
political parties. Whenever human
brains are working, human hands are
toiling, or human hearts are beating
for loftier citizenship or the ameliora-
tion of the toilers of earth, it reaches
out the hand of sympathy and assist
ance.
AS to what is the duty Of the citizen
under this condition of things / will not
presume to answer for any one but my
self, as each man in matter of this sort
must answer to his own conscience.
For myself, l conceive it my duty as
well-wisher of my country to vote here
after with this party and shall do so
through evil and good report.
To your fifth and last question l
answer yes. l do consider the present
condition of things, brought about by
the corruption and misrule of the repub-
lican and democratic leaders, as seri-
GUS menace to the very existence of our
free institutions, and one calling for
the earnest, thoughtful consideration OF
every citizen. We are now actually in
the midst of a condition of things the
very thought of which was a source OF
much disquietude to the fathers OF our
government, and against which we nave
been so solemnly warned by them. 1t Is
HldIleT vi HlSloly lhiiii'"i w S'~A'
school boy that at the organization OF
our government there were two great
parties, federal and republican, one
led by Mr.. Hamilton and the other by
Mr.. Jefferson, the one favoring strong,
centralized, aristocratic government
with long official terms, the other a
more democratic form with short terms
of office and the full preservation of all
rights of the citizen consistent with
good government. And these grave
questions were only settled by long,
earnest, and peculiarly able debate by
those old patriots in the formation OF
the constitution. Among other things
it was proposed to elect the president
for life.
To the everlasting honor of those old
patriots the short term idea prevailed,
and among other things the presiden-
tial term was fixed at four years. Geo.
Washington was twice elected, serving
in all eight years, and declining re-
election, declaring that no man ought
to be permitted to serve longer in that
great office. Ever since the example
set by the Father Of his Country has
been accepted as American common
law on this question, and until the last
twenty-five years no one in this nation
could be found so unpatriotic or cor
rupt as to wish to change it.
We have now fastened upon lis an
official aristocracy. 1t has become an
established custom, inaugurated by the
republican party and acquiesced in by
the democratic representatives in con-
gress, that it is right and proper to foist
upon the government the widow of any
man they choose, who has happened to
have lived for any length of time by
holding Office, but who has been so i'm
provident or worthless as to have lived
beyond his income and died penniless,