Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-03-25

| IL proper eighteen months ago, I'M
less 1t can be shown that the parties
which could trust each other then can.
not do SO now. AS there has been nc
national convention since 1896, 1t is
impossible to Judge Of the present in
tentions of the three parties unless we
take for our criterion the actions Of
those who stand in a representative
capacity.
The Democrats, the Populists, and
the Silver Republicans who in 1896 IA
vored the reforms which have men,
toned favor them to-day. There is not
a prominent man of any Of the parties
which united in 1896 who has aban-
doned any Of the reforms which drew
the parties together.
The advocates of the gold standard,
the enemies ofindependent bimetallism,
| the opponents of the greenbacks, the
| friends of national bank notes, the de-
tenders Of trusts, the supporters OF
government by injunction, and those
who object to arbitration and an In
come tax-all these find no difficulty
ter how much they may differ upon
minor ones. Shall the friends OF re-
form show less earnestness or less sa-
gacity? Reforms are often delayed by
an attempt to secure too much, while
progress is usually made little at a
time. II one cherishes the hope OF lay
ing up competency for old age, he
does not refuse to save anything until
he can save all that he desires. II
he Is wise he lays aside a little each
day and makes 1t the foundation Tor
his fortune. Society moves forward
slowly. Circumstances make it posi-
BILE to rise to a plane little higher
than that occupied before, and from
this new vantage ground the fight Is
renewed for the capture of some great
err height. Holland has expressed an
idea which may we'll be applied to the
unceasing contest waged by those who
would improve the condition of society
and promote the welfare of the human
race. He says:
Heaven Is not gained by single
bound;
We build the ladder by which we
rise
From the lowly earth to the vaulted
skies,
And mount to its summit round by
round.
Many millions Of our people believe
that the reforms above enumerated
will bring vast advantage to the pro-
ducers of wealth, but whether the ad-
vantage be much or little, these are
the things which lie Immediately in
front of us, and they must be decided
one way or the other before more re-
mote questions, even though they be
greater ones, can be seriously consid-
cred. What though there be questions
which may ultimately separate those
who fought together in the last cam
paign. will Democrats, Populists or Sill
yer Republicans be the worse for hav-
ing secured those things for which
they are jointly contending?
Agitation Is means to an end, not
the end itself. To secure few things
is better than to advocate many things
and get nothing. Our opponents not
only recognize that there is strength
in union, but they also recognize that
there is weakness in division, and there
fore they may be expected to present
a united front whenever the interests
of exaggerated wealth are attacked,
and they may be expected to spread
discussions wherever possible among
the reform forces. The Democrats will
be warned against becoming tainted
with Populism, and yet Jefferson de-
nounced banks of issue, and Jackson |
entered into contest with the money |
Dower before there was Populist |
party, while the bimetallic system was |
established in the United States be- |
fore any political party was organized. |
Our enemies will warn the Populists |
against association with the Demo-
Gratis, and with unstinted praise COM
mend those who are credited with
putting principle above Office" The
party will gladly leave the
Populists in possession Of all the prin-
ciples, so long as the Republicans are
permitted to hold all the offices, be-
cause political principles are of no SER
vice to the public until they are en-
forced, through the legislative, execu-
tive and judicial departments of the
government The Silver Republicans
will be asked to listen to the siren song
Of international bimetallists, and
warned against the communicating in
Huence Of both De nocrats and Popu-
lists. AS an ounce Of prevention is
said to be worth pound of cure, so
l dollar spent in separating the reform
forces will be more useful than sixteen
dollars spent in an attempt to over
.ome their united strength.
In great crises the patriotism Of the
American people always rises sufficient
or any emergency. An emergency is
low upon us; it will require all the
and patriotism of the peo-
,le to rescue the government from the
lands of a party which has become the
defender and abettor of every form of
POLITICAL vice. In such crisis there Is
IN time IN discuss the ultimate effect