The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-11-06
GUNo RrrUAL or A Por. LODGE.
Specimens OF the HymnAl with which the
Money Power was TerroriEed.

specimens OF the hymnht WIN WHICH tue
Money Power Was TerroriSed.
Prom ne Kansas Cir Journal.
At the beginning the Populist party was a
secret organization which held Its meetings be-
hind locked doors. He who would gain admit
tance must know all the signs and passwords.
Once within the mystic portals the =" brother F"
found the society equipped with a ritual very.
similar to that OF the average secret organiza-
ton. and tho high-muck- a-mucks and the
sdueegees were just as important and digniled
as their functions would permit them to DO.
In the course OF q lodge meeting at least
an hour was given to an exchange OF OK
periences, something after the fashion OF a
Methodist campmeetinR, when the brothers
and sisters arose In turn and told how the
great red dragon had fastened its claws within
their yitals, or how they were writhing In the
tentacles of the octopus. OF how they were
CALLED by the chains OF Industrial slavery, Be
tween these Experiences " the lodge. led by
q stronR-lunEed brother, would break into
song. the tune being some well known air with
words prepared to express the political or
moral sentiments which stood behind this polit-
zeal organization.
We are reminded OF all this by some selec-
lions taken from the official song ritual as used
IL the Kansas lodges, which, we're sent 70 us by
The first OF these relates to the terror which
theorganization OF the Farmers Alliance was
carrying to the money power. and the first two
verses run as follows:
oh. Al and I went ont to see
W. ss seInn ,SGp sSs6, Io on tselP 5nn tI.s
A-rtudyinR mp the branches.
And 40 they formed n little band,
And called u an Alliance:
They stIutted round Ike nghtin' cocks
to the tune Of Yankee Doodle" One referred
to the aims and purposes of the Alliance and
received by the general public. one verse being
as follows:
They said the plan they'd hit upon
Put all men on n level:
The men outside would nod and wink
And say. You'll play tho devil"
It will be remembered that one OF the aims ~
the Alliance was to destroy, the local merchant
and do away with the rmiddlemen p" In ever,
department Of trade: Here are a couple Of
oh. how the merchant snorted when
And Thi So osT tSo ~ icb Spsrss sp sTSaG% when
They found themselves aground.
Aud nov the granger gets his goods
wav down al bottom prioes:
And pays the raRh like money kings"
For all his littlo spices.
One song bore the title. The Runaway
Banker" and It concluded with the following
De banker runs, .ha. hal
De victim stay. hp, hol
And dc year of iubilo.
Here are a couple OF verses referring to the
mannerin which Popnlism expected and In
together with a boast Of how Congress- was to
be whipped into line:
Here comes the good Ailsnce train;
To save poor wretchod families
The headlight turned toward Washington
And steam gauge running high,
As we go marching to victory.
Now. keep the engines pufinG. boys.
And leave the narrow gauges,
We'll run monopoly from the throne.
The bankers from the stage:
And set the Cabinet free.
While We go marching. &c.
Perhaps the most popular Of all the songs,
Parties. Good-By." In those days Popmlism
was fighting Democracy just as vigorously as It
fought Repmblicanism and fusion was n thing
unknown. Here are two verses from that fine
old hymn:
It was no moro than a year ago
TO hear aught else / never would 60.
Like the rest I made \ great blow;
Good-by. my party. good-by.
Picking It's teeth with a tariff tack.
Thst p E Rinff1r sta aaanS 4 WIT VII S iss en9 ao Back.
Good.by, my party, good-by.
One great ,favorite was entitled Harrison
Badges" and It refers to the alleged poverty
administration OF that President. one verse
proceeding tunefully as follows:
All common folks wear them. sleeping or waking.
Their number and size q mere matter of chance;
But the dearest. protected. nsthetic and taking
Are those that arc worn on the seats of our pants.
In its earliest days the Populist organization
was very active In. the cause. Of temperance
and prohibition. and many of the songs are de-
voted to a sarcastic review OF the hibulous
propensities OF Democrats and Republicans.
Here is q verse which. II 1t had not been writ
ten so long ago. might perhaps be regarded as
referring to the practices OF the present State
Board OF Charities:
At the polls to-day 1 sit thinking. drunkenness. Of
you,
And the homes that you are darkeninR every day;
Aud I see men getting full. spite of all that we can do,
Though they try to put the liquor all away.