The Advocate and news., 1898-07-13

ton of the Populist convention. Many
suggest themselves. but that which fol-
lows is a brief statement of the one
most prominently in mind.
Education is a matter of development
and growth. 1t does not end with school
days and is not confined to textbooks.
Earnest thought and study upon any
subject develop the mental powers. This
10 education Kansas leads the world,
not only in its common schools, but in
tie standard Of intelligence among
those Of all ages. More books, maga-
zines and papers are bought by our
people, more is paid out for education in
every way and there is more indepen-
dent thought and action than anywhere
else in the world among corresponding
number of people.
The period Of greatest activity and
most rapid intellectual growth and de-
velOpment dates from the organization
OF the Farmers Alliance and the school
house discussions which followed. Little
did those active in this movement real
i7e the great work they were doing in
elevating the mental and moral stand
arc of the whole people. From this
movement the POpulist party was born,
apparently in day, but really 1t was
the fruitage of those years Of discus
sicE. During the past eight years the
current has flowed quietly on, slowly
gaining strength to again burst its bar
riers and come one step nearer govern
ment Of and by and for the people.
The work of the Populist State con-
ventlon was but the prelude to another
movement which shall result, and that
soon, in direct legislation and the reali-
zatiOn of a much more perfect govern
ment in every way. Never did any con-
vention so fully and so freely and so
feaTlessly voice the sentiments Of those
they represented, and never was there
more representative body. Never did
convention act so bravely, so wisely
and so we'll Never did the politician
and the policy man count for so little
and the golden rule count for so much
The people of Kansas stand on
higher intellectual and moral plane than
ever in the past. That platform looks
forward and the people are looking for
ward Histroy and principles Of gov
ernment will be studied as never before,
Platitudes and time-honored custom
will no longer outweigh logic and cold
facts. "You can't do it, will not longer
deter those who desire a purer and
better government. Ridicule and cum
ming of the political fiXer will not longer
outweigh a broad humanity and the
honest, earnest desire of the man who
tolls for justice and right A platform
that is positive, specific and definite
like the one adopted brings the question
at issue much nearer the people, comes
much nearer direct legislation, instructs
the Legislature that much more specif-
ically and leaves much less opportunity
for the political fixer in the Legislature.
But best OF all, it does what direct
legislation would do more fully-it will
educate the people. The educational
value, the uplift mental and moral, to
the whole people of the State of the two
years discussion Of principles and poll
cies proposed, and the still greater up
lift when every voter shall pass directly
upon all important legislative questions
will be far greater than even its warm
est advocates realize. This, to me, Is
the most interesting and pleasing fea-
ture. That platform and those back Of
it stand not only for equal rights to all,
but they stand for the emancipation of
the human intellect from all fetters that
would curb reason and humanity and
progress.
No one doubts the goodness Of the
whole people. Those who would refuse
them the privilege Of acting upon ques-
tions directly, as did this convention
upon the metropolitan police law, op-
pOse it because they doubt their ability
to act wisely and well. He who longer
doubts the courage or the ability Of the
people of Kansas to act for their own
best interests, If given an opportunity
to act directly, places too low an esti-
mate upon their intelligence and man
hood.
But it is the educational side of this
movement to which wish especially to
I.,7A