Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-02-19
POPULISM.

PUPULlSM.
Justice Ooster says the difference between
Democr ICY and Populism lies in that Democra-
cy gives the individual his rights aud tells him
to take them, while Populism not only gives
man his rights, but makes him take them.
Popul SIN has the better position of the two
Do right or wrong, as you choose! You MUST
do right!
Human experience teaches that civilization
advances only under some form of coercion
There has been no civilization without some
form of government, and all governments have
EMPLOYED force Society coerces the horse
thief and burglar. Otherwise, horses and
goods would belong to the strongest man. We
not only tell a man that a horse is his individ-
ual possession under certain conditions, but we
assist him in retaining possession. This prin-
ciple runs all the way through i'll our form of
government.
Without knowing it, perhaps, we have cross
ed the line of Jeffersonian Democracy. We
not only provide schools, but we say to the
children, "You must attend our schools. "
There, society has paused to take breath;
but Populism, the advance guard OF new
movement, declares that it is not enough to
provide and declare that children shall attend
the schools, but that it shall be made possible
for all children to respond to the mandate.
Last wear, IL 900 children were out of school
in the city of Chicago, because their parents
were unable to provide them with the necessa-
ry clothing.
The law cannot compel impossibilities. Pop
ulism makes it possible to do right in declaring
that where parents will not, or cannot, provide,
society shall provide. Of what good are schools
if the children are not in the schools? OF
what use are property rights in chattels if there
is no power to make the rights good?
True, there are difficulties. Some people are
incorporate shiftless and lazy. Some are I'M
fortunate, being invalids or cripples Others
are able and willing, but without opportunities
,rhe children of all such are included in the
scheme of free education. 1t is no fault of
the child; not always the fault of the parents
We do not believe in the doctrine that the chill
dren should suffer for the sins of the parents.
Such doctrine belongs to the teachings OF the
dark ages. This is on the grounds of human
ity; but society cannot afford to have vicious
and ignorant population. 1t is costly and it is
dangerous Make the lazy work. Furnish
work for the unemployed. See that the chill
dren are clothed Such scheme in its exc
cution, will cost less than courts, jails and
standing armies, but, above all, the venom is
extracted-the disease is eliminated.
It has long been theory of our wisest poit-
ical economists that republics can only exist in
the intelligent and loving cooperation of their
citizens.
Populisln entertains no new deas-it builds
on old ones. 1t follows the lines OF coercion
where coercion is needed, not from choice, but
from necessity 1t prefers willing obedience
to the mandates of the highest wisdom of which
man is capable, and in doing SO, it points tc
higher education, power, morals, and deeper
spirituality. Populism believes that govern
1nent is the handmaiden of civilization, and
accordingly, uses it as means to great end.
Make people better by making it possible
for them to be better is we'll enough when peo-
pie are willing. When not willing, use CO.
ercion. Coerce citizen not only for the sake
of society, but for his own sake and for the
sake of posterity.
no DrJx/ OFT WE'D MTNEC