The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-07-19
MARKnAM'S MAN
WITH TIE HOE
P1utOcrats Who 1--we Up0n the Hoe
Man Say 1t IL Right but
Impractical.
A TRUTH THAT DOES HARM MUST
NOT BE TOLD.
But Populists Protest, and Declare
the Truth Though the
Heavens Fall.
DR.. L. L. Clement in Atla9ts Constitu-

notice Wallace p. Reads criticism O,
Edwin Markham's poem, "The Mar
With the Hoe." OF May 26. and hav,
waited some time. thinking some ont
better able would take issue with hi
expressed sentiments. Not to provoke
controversy. but simply want to Ell
ter protest against Mr.. Reads protes,
against Mr.. Markham's protest against
existing economic and social evils
While Mr.. Read admits tho truth of Mr.
Markhams poem. he says he "cana
agree with the Atlanta writer's who
speak Of him as an apostle of human
ity.'" and regards him as an Apostle
OF the gloomiest and most dangerous
kind of pessimism." That while the
verses voice the truth. It Is the kind
OF truth which does more harm than
good" He asks: "Is it wise to tell the
toiler that he is a helpless, despised and
monstrous thing. and that he has been
made so by the governing classes?" I
think most people will agree with me In
thinking that it-Markham's poem-is
not the kind Of truth that does harm, -
and that it is not "wise," but duty to
tell the ''toiler," or any other class Of a
wrong or condition that is possible to
be benefited II he would be humani-
tartan. It should be regarded as crimi-
nal negligence not to do SO and offer
protest in behalf Of suffering humanity.
He asks again: rs It safe to drop the
Idea into the minds Of millions that their
oppressors will justify whirlwinds OF re-
bellion7" / inquire. safe to whom, the
millions or the few "oppressors~ that
have brought ON the condition? Mr..
Read says again: We must take life
as it is-accept tho Inevitable, bear our
burdens patiently and try to be con-
tented" agree In making the best Of
our present condition possible, but to
protest. at the same time, against an in
Justice not as pessimist but as q bene-
factor. One is not necessarily a pessi-
mist because he points out ana protests
against wrong. AS long as there is a
protest there IL hope As long as the
physician fights the disease and the fire.
men the flames we have hopes, but when
they cease to protest our hopes are muY-
0ered, for we know It means death and
destruction. Mr.. Read admits there
have been Temporary reforms from
protests or terrible revolutions" but
seems to think It not worth tho effort or
the while to protest, but seems TO think
It best 70 take life a. It is;" fold our
hands and Yield IN humble submission,
although there be wrong.
have read Mr.. Reads articles with
interest and benent, and am surprised
at a man Of his atta1nments and seem
ing democratic ideas to give expression
to such Ideas TO protest against
wrong Is inherent and is an elementary
and instructive principle in all nature
that acts as q safety 10 we'll being and
self-preservation- II II had not been for
protests and revolution" we would not
be free peoplA There were anti-revo-
lutionist Reads OF anti-revolution days.
In these great economic and social
wrongs that shake the very principles OF
democracy and civilization, tending to-
ward tyranny and even despotism in
rulers, thereby exciting anarchy in the
masses, think the means are tustiflable
to the end, in righting them. and while
''whirlwinds OF rebellton'' may net be
'safe'' to masters, lords and rulers"
who oppress, nor even to the lives of
millions Of the oppressed, they are
justifabfe when there is hope OF
helping intolerable conditions And
while these protests and sacrifices OF one
generation may not b "safe" to the
happiness Of that generation. it may be
to succeeding ones, and Is one Of the
highest evidences Of patriotism and hu-
manitarianism. It is protests and agi-
tation that has Influenced most reforms.
1t is protests that keeps the world as
good even as It Is. Cease TO protest
places" and the masses will not only be
slaves virtually but in fact It was pro-
tests that gave US popular civil liberty,
and it is protests that. enable us to re-
tain It. It is protests that prevent utter
chaos in the social fabric and the body
polite. Respectfully.
L. l. CLE4AENT, q. D.
Ocee, Ca. May 81. 1900. Il
Sass
Cafe observation end parior carr ON