The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-07-07
A BIT OF HISTORY.

The Democratic party held absolute
sway from 1901 to 1860, and in all those
years there were only two presidents
who stood by and guarded the interests
of the common people against the ag-
gressions of plutocracy. Those two
we're the honored and immortal Jeffer-
son and Jackson. Since the days of the
Sage of Monticello, the Democratic
party has been steadily on the decline,
and, with the exception of the brief
spell of the Jacksonian spirit, has been
drifting farther and farther from the
principles advocated by the great found
once great party, and in its place was
lifted the Republican party, with Lin
coin as the idol Of the people and the
champion of their rights. Lincoln and
Jefferson believed in the same princi-
pies. They both had an abiding faith
in the intelligence and hon es:y Of the
common people. They both feared the
power and cunning of the money lords,
and warned the people to guard and de-
fend their rights against the encroach-
ments of the hydra-headed monster
plutocracy.
AS the Demrocatio party continued
in existence nearly 60 years on the repu-
tation of it's founder. Jefferson, so the
Republican party lived nearly So years
hn tot of lro
The tide began to turn against the
Republican party as early as 1876, when
Tilden carried the country by a major
ity of over 100000 on the popular vote
and many. even Republicans, believe
that he was fairly elected
Why did the people lose faith in the
Democratic party? Because, soon after
Jefferson's administration, the money
power, and particularly the slave power,
controlled it to their advantage. The
courts, the legislatures and the eXecu-
tives of the state and nation favored
these powers. The people saw that
those who should protect thei' rights
were against them and in league with
their enemies. They turned for relief
to the Republican party, new reform
party at that time.
And why have the people now lost
faith in the Republican party? Because
that party is now dominated by the
corporations of railroads, banks, trusts,
etc.
The last election was not an express
sion Of faith in the Republican party
1t was more of an expression of dis
gust with and a lack of confidence In
the Cleveland Democracy.
The Republican party had been tried
and so the Democratic party was elected
in 1880. Prosperity failed to appear,
and the people again voted to give the
Republicans a trial. Yet no prosperity.
Again the people turned to the Demo-
cracy and again they wero disappointed
Once more have they returned to the Re-
publican party. They will be disap-
pointed again, and the question arises
what VIII they DO next! How long Will
they hop from one party to the other?
1t cannot last much longer. They are
bound to discover some day that no re-
lief can come from either Of the two
old parties. They will find that parties
by the corporations. trusts,
syndicates. banks, etc, will never offer
any substantial remedial legislation.
There is only one party that Is not
controlled by these moneyed classes,
and that is the Peoples party. An at
tempt is being made TO kill it, Will
they succeed? If they do. all hope IS
lost What then? We dread to think
of the future. p. s.
WORDS OF WEIGHT