Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-01-19

- W N~e~J4 - EAAOSN w. eeo LIZ
was the day before the last ele-
ction. We do not. wonder: that
he, as well as others who stood
first in battle draw back and ask,
what next, when political organ
ization, agitation, careful plan
ming, talented leaders, have all
failed to bring about the desired
result, Is it not folly to continue
the Same tactics? Can we justly
calllt cowardice (as Clarence has
it?) Far from it. Clarence cites the
history of the abolitionists as a
political party. They were defeat
ed five different times before they
came into power; they had certain
reform issues in their platform
but there was but one vital issue
at the time Of it's birth in 1910,
and that was looked upon at the
time. and is yet to-day as one of
the most vital and greatest
issues ever presented to the Am
erican people and moral one at
that. Everything as far as politi-
cal agitation and discussion went
was conferred upon that one issue.
It Was not so much of a compli-
Gated issue or question as we
have before us today but was
simply a ques zion of free1 ON to
the black slaves of the south,
making it also a sectional issue.
The e!oquence and oratory of
great speakers touched the heart
strings of a sympathetic nation
upon the enormity and deviltry
of slavery. Had it not been for
that issue alone probably the
birth of the republican party had
not yet taken place.
Our issues of today are more
complicated, People must be
educated into the mysteries Of
something they cannot readily
understand or comprehend, con-
sequently the willy politician has
a greater advantage in misrepre-
senting the true facts and situa.
ton. And the people Of today
are more prejudiced and draw
strictly on party lines. So they
do not recognize the principles
of the reform parties in true
light, and never will until they
are brought down to financial
rim, and we believe that will, in
the end, be the only remedy to
purge the corruption of Ameri
can politics BY general upris-
ing of the people. The present
laws, and especially the none
tary system o: this government,
will never remedy or better con-
ditions. We have proof Of this
in every day occurrz noes bank
failures, factory, mine and rail.
road arrangements cutting the
wages of employees, even after
the silver craze is dead and con
tidence is'restored. What better
agitation could we wish for. Will
not this have d tendency to open
the eyes of the public as TO the
true situation of the present day:
We say again to Clarence, give
the people u rest upon drawn
party lines. They are informed
upon the issues, but slow to act
and determine upon right and
wrong, when party lines are
drawn. What we need more
than anything else at present is
a general shaking away from
.political PARTIES and stand out as
Independents. free to act with
any party that will to a certain
degree recognize our wants and
grievances, supporting ut al
times the most moral, and honest
and talented men regardless Of
party name. In this way oul
method politics might to a Ger
tain extent be purged from its
present corruption. Should the
Mckinley administration fail tt
carry out the promises made BY
the Republican party in giving
relief to the common class Of peo
pie, then that party is doomed
and the time will then be ripe
for final action. But at presen
let US stand solidly as a bulwarl
independently Of political partie:
and guard our own interests anc
spurn the wrong. IN our owl
State We see no prospect of sue