The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-10-05
POLITICAL CHAOS.
A Reply to q Recent Editorial in the
Philadelphia American

Chaos means a confused mass; ana
political chaos means q confused mass
of politics, and politics with Washing
ton. Jefferson, and Lincoln meant "the
sciepcs of government" but from all
our present surroundings, we may ex
pect the next photographer to define
politics with the two little words,
"Get thereI"
Under the caption of 'Populism, De
mocracy and Political Chaos" "a leader
in the September 11th number Of The
American, of Philadelphia, that is ably
edited by Wharton Barker, I notice
. that this chaos gets a complete stirring
up. I think that the American still
left the mass in confusion, having failed
to introduce the element that will cen
traliz9 the forces and command order.
To describe chaos is one things. To
say that there should combination of
of elements and Capitalization o. forces
and order brought out of confusion is
another thing.
To specify in particular the elemen-
tary principles hat will command
order out Of confusion Is another and
very different thing. This is precisely
what Washington, Jefferson and Lin
coin did. Ihave carefully studied that
which seems the controlling sentence
in the Americans leader and fail to
see in it the specific element OF politics
that will unity into order the chaos
that exists.
1t says in the fifth paragraph, ct
will not suffice for those who seek TO
direct the struggles for the emancipa-
ton Of our producing classes from the
slavery OF povery, TO tie themselves
down to the issue raised by the abuse
Of our monetary system. The issue
raised by the abuse of our protective
tariff system, which has been made a
monopoly tariff system by our system
of national taxation, which throws an
undue share of the burdena Of govern
ment on the poor and by the usurpa-
tion of legislative and executive gov
eminent on our courts, in the interest
of centralized capital, cannot be ig-
nored."
As a negative description of some
thing vaguely seen IN the chaos, this
is very good, but as a specific forcefui
elements of unity, it is nothing, abso
lntely nothing. It is only that which
the cid party platforms set forth as a
vote catcher and like what the politi
clans advance as an element of ''get
thereI' Old parties love this political
chaos and demagogues like to see the
people whirling about like bees in a
swarm, so that, perchence, they may
gather and hive a goodly swarm, each
for his kingly self.
In looking into the political chaos,
one who has definite convictions and
honesty of purpose at heart should
readily see in the original (or Omahal
platform Of the people party elemen
tary principles that are both convinc
ing and forCeful enough to overthrow
present expressions and re establish
freedom in the way which the people
want iG.
Let us see. The money plank Of the
platform Of 1892 demands a National
currency, safe, sound and flexible"
with free and unlimited coinage of
silver and gold at Is to l." also with "a
just, equitable and efficient means of
distribution direct to the people at a
tax not to exceed 2 per cent. per an
mum" (0r, practically, at cost ION the
sub treasury plan Of the Farmers ALI
nce or a better system; also, by pay,
ments in discharge of it's obligations
for public improvements"
Is this chaos2 No, verify, but it
hibits a political prasp of financial
economy that will solve the money
problem, not in the interest," Of money
l~oaners, bankers, b~ondholders, etc., as
now exists, but in harmony with the
demands of an industrial sovereign
people. This money plank does not
need a leader" to give it efficiency.
1t only needs the election Of executive
and legislative ervants from the PEG.
pie who are honestly sworn to it's prin
ciples; to give it Eff cheney.
But I judge from the tone of the
American that it may say, this brief
formula in your platforms is not clear
and specific enough so that it may be
fully understood by all the people who
are supposed to be- It's author"
Very well, then, let US proceed to
elucidate, simplify and unity this chaos
about as follows, quoting from a paper
we have received:
(G) The money of the United States