Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1897-06-04

THE PROSPERITY THAT NEVER
CAME.

The Republican newspapers seem
much disturbed at the criticisms the
opposition press, and the people as well,
have leveled at this era of the Mckinley
prosperity. They bewail the existing
spirit of fault finding and insist that the
grumblers are enemies of the public
welfare. Our evening contemporary. in
Its characteristic way, is doing It's
assigned part to lull the people into con-
tentment and false security, while the
corporations and lords Of money push
along their plundering work unmolestsd.
The pops are urged to suspend
calamity operations" and talk "hope
and progress" The people are called
upon to act 'cheerful and confident, :"
and to take notice of the GLORIOUS rains
and burst forth into loud acclaims Of
thanksgiving at these fresh evidences Of
Mckinley prosperity and party promises
fulfilled; to grow peaceful and happy IN
anticipation of the good things in wail-
ing, just little way ahead.
From time immemorial reformers have
been called ''disturbers Of the peace.
To reassure the people: to put down all
discomfort has been the aim of aristocrats
from the revolution until now; to repress
all efforts Of the people to throw off
bondage or better themselves has been
the business of wealth and aristocracy at
all times. But it is useless when the
people are aroused to cry peace, peace, ,
when there is no peace" All such
twaddle will not avail at the last analy.
sis of the case.
During the campaign Of last fall the
gold standard press Of the country and
the stump orators Of that party went
into the contest constantly holding up
before the people the deplorable indus
trial conditions existing. They pointed
to idle smoke stacks. empty work shops
and depressed markets for agricultural
products. They advertised their candi-
dat te as the 'advance agent Of prosper
ity" and ever and always proclaimed that
the shop doors would open. the spindles
whirl again and the hum of industry be
heard throughout the land when Repub-
lican triumph came.
There was no organic disease of the
body polite they said. 1t was lack of
confidence In governmental management
that caused all the trouble. Restore
confidence" establish confidence" be-
came campaign cry, and the advance
agent was pictured on brilliant cartoons
with keys in his hand leading columns
Of working men up to the factory doors
ready TO throw them open wide and let
the people in. All your ills will vanish
like wreath of mist when Mckinley is
elected, was published, preached and
sung with so much satisfaction and ap-
parent earnestness in it all that intelli-
gent rejecting men were led to believe
that the success of the Republican ticket
would at once bring relief. They assert
ed that money was waiting eagerly for
investment at the very moment in which
confidence" was restored.
Careful students of industrial condi-
tions knew better. Shrewd observers
saw that the people were being hum
bugged by as unprincipled a cabal Of
politicians rs ever Joined hands for
plunder. Now the masses of the people |
realize the extent Of that fraudulent
campaign. and naturally enough they
are indignant, when Henry Clews issues |
his weekly bulletin, saying money is
easy at the Financial centers" and when |
the Associated Press announces that R.
G. Dun & Co. will say tomorrow "that
trade conditions show improvement"
The people regard it all as the same old
nostrum Of the Republican campaign.
The great Dingley tariff bill has
reached the senate. 1t was considered
the very highest production OF Republi-
can wisdom. But the free trade Demo
crat division of the allies have broken
ranks and are bitterly denoLncing the |
protective tariff Republican wing. The |
factors, those who want
protection for the sake of revenue and |
those who want revenue for protection,
are flying at each others throats. Mr.. |
Dingley is slashed into an unreco1niza-
BILE symbol Of Mckinley prosperity.
Do these gratuitous advisers of the
doctrine of humility expect to longer
humbug the people? 1t is not to be ex-
pected they can. 1t is we'll to be of good
cheer, but let it be the courage which
nerves the arm to new strokes for liberty,
which opens the eyes to see the dangers
which threaten and can arouse to action.
Tomorrow our esteemed evening con-
will editorially advise the
people to get along without eating until
after harvest. t.-Sioux Falls Press.
M. R. Odell. the Hudson druggist, car
ries complete line OF pure drugs. patent
medicines, wall paper, paints, oils, WIN
low shades. jewelry, musical instruments
and notions. Mr.. Odell invites the pub
lie to give him a call.