The Advocate and news., 1898-03-23

It cannot well be otherwise. The COM
monwealth which, fOrtyhve years ago,
possessed the intelligence to recognize
the evils of chattel slavery and had the
courage to organize the movement
against IL, has not degenerated and can
safely be counted leader In this strug-
gle for emancipation from political slaV-
cry The conditions which led to the
formation Of the Republican party have
again returned, only on much larger
scale than before; will history repeat
itself? VIII these conditions again lead
20 the upbuilding OF an immense politi-
cal party based on one sound principle
exploited in the personal interest Of the
builders? Fifty years ago the abolition
lists, who were moved by the same spirit
that moves us, found the same obstacles
In their way which beset our way, were
handicapped by the same lack OF or
ganizatlon-because the organizers can
not be remunerated. But If the transit
tiOn Of power from the old (pro-slaVery)
party to the new (free soiD party-then-
brought on the terrible civil war, with Its
concomitant evils, is 1t at all desirable
that history should repeat itself?
We, who are identified with the direct
legislation movement, have agreed to
keep 1t aloof from partisanship; the pro-
cess, to appeal to all the people, not only
to q single party or class, may be slower,
require more sacrifices, but the ineVita-
BILE result, whenever 1t comes, will be
blessing undlsgulsed and unaccompanieO
by any curse. This Is the line Of policy
adopted by the Michigan league and, X
appears to US, with satisfactory results.
Two years ago, when we organized, the
idea OF direct legislation was known to
but few individuals In this common
wealth; to-day 1t is not only known but
understood and appreciated by a ma
jOrity Of the members OF labor organiza-
tlonA, and they are beginning TO apply
1t successfully in their various organi-
nations. Then, Republican or Demo-
cratic partisan who wished to intro
duce direct legislation into the platform
OF his party was decTied a crank,
"a wild-eyed, long-haired Populist," a
socialist and an anarchist; the idea It.
self was not even considered, much less
discussed; now It Is not only being thor
Oughly discussed by politicians, the lead
ers Of both parties, but was the main
feature Of the platforms Of both parties
In ou rlast municipal campaign, at least
SIS far as applicable, and the new council,
on February 9Th, unanimously passed
resolution providing that hereafter all
franchises given by the council to in
dividuals or corporations must be
first approved by the people through
means Of the referendum. Then the
press was q unit In its silence on the
subject of direct legislation; now there
10 hardly paper in the State that does
not, more or less frequently, draw the
attention of It's readers to the subject,
and, though the press is by no means
a unit In It's favor, 1t Is invariably dis
cussed earnestly, without sneers or ridi-
cule, as a business proposition for the
people to consider earnestly.
There Is no doubt Of the respectable
ity Of this movement.
To bring this about necessitated pro-
portiOnate amount OF work; thousands of
letters had to be written, hundreds OF ar
ticles had to be published; meetings had
to be arranged; political, representa-
tive, social and religious assemblies had
to he addressed; through means OF our
monthly paper which to our great re-
gret we had to cease publishing on ac-
count Of lack Of funds, we were able to
reach $4,000 citizens Of this State out
side Of Detroit.
Although the members Of the league
throughout the State worked faithfully
for the cause in distributing literature,
obtaining signatures to our petition and
bringing the subject up for discussion
before farmers clubs, labor unions, etc,
and though especially great credit is
due to George ]. Robinson of Alpena,
MarGln G. Loennecker, Mayor Of Jackson
Charles s. Hampton and DR., H. T. Calk-
ins Of Petoskey and others for the in,
fluence they brought to bear on the Leg
isIature, yet. the movement had to be
sustained by the executive body In De-