The representative., 1901-01-24

Graysville, Ind.
To the Memory of l&natius DonnelIy.
1t is indeed with sad and heavy
heart | pen these lines to the memory
OF the late champion of humanity and
defender of the rights of the common
people, the immortal Ignatius Donnelly
1t was my privilege to be a close and
intimate friend of Mr.. Donnelly and was
closely associated with him in farmers
movements, practical and reform work
and associated with him on the Repre-
sentative for several years, and had a
better and more intimate knowledge
OF Mr.. Donnelly and his work than was
the good fortune of many others, and
during long and intimate relations I
learned to know and love the man and
cherish and admire the lofty motives
that inspired his public career in advo-
eating policies and reforms that were
unpopular and which he espoused, be /.
cause his great heart throbbed with
compassion for the poor and down-trod-
den of his fellow creatures. He believ-
ell it right to battle against the rich,
the arrogant, the greedy and champion
the rights of the poor, the lowly, the op-
pressed, and, believing he was right, had
the courage Of his convictions to pro-
claim them in an increasing and ardent
manner for 40 years. For this loyalty
to principle he brought on his head the
bitterness and resentment OF the classes
which conspired together to ruin him
and through systematic ridicule and
slanderous illusions to himself and his
work the most outrageous calumnies
were heralded to the world concerning
his personal integrity, honesty of pur-
pose, etc. They conspired to close every
avenue of prosperity against him, and
but for the unusual literary attainments
of the man, which .were beyond the
reach of these destructive conspirators
he managed to secure fair competence
while living, although he could never
be- rated as more than comfortable"
And while he battled away for the
last 40 years and was the victim of his
sacrifices for the multitude. he was new
er appreciated by them and was deserted
Ey the ,'mongrel horde" for whom he
toiled. after being maligned and sland-
cred by those who would be wearing the
scrf's badge of industrial bondage but
fer his loyal and persistent fight.
He has often been charged as turn
ed old political parties. This fact is true,
but no one will deny that while a mem
ber of such political parties he still con-
tinued to advocate the same principles
which he advocated all his public life.
and it was only when he found tha.
the party he joined would not champion
the reforms he advocated. and even in
the face of refusing the highest honors
these political parties would gladly be-
stow upon him, if he would drop his re-
forms and, like the average politician.
seek his reward at the pie counter, he
turned his back on each political party
sonal advancement. He manfully con-
tinued to advocate the reforms he cham
pioned. He has been the acknowledged
father of reform. He was the leader OF
over the country. He was the father CT
the Peoples party and wrote almost the
entire Omaha platform. And while he
was most outrageously traduced sland-
cred and abused by few of the ambl-
tious carriOn-breed of the vulture ma
ture who, ever ready to gorge them
selves from the spOils of victorious
conquest, would stab the general who
won the battle in their mad greed TO;
private gain and Office.
Mr.. Donnelly's nature was not of the
kind that could stoop to the monstrous
tricks and deceits which is necessary to
succeed in politics, and his proud anu
sensitive nature rebelied and, lacking
the restraint and discretion OF his willy
foes or traitorous associates, he fought
them always in the .'open," while they
lurked IN the dark LOT ld'oIduic Up
portunity to stab him.
He was not cut out for politician. as
his honest, open and unsuspecting nature
led him to believe all who smiled at
him were his friends. His gentle and
buoyant nature was attuned to the loft
lest and noblest ideals. lie enjoyed
mirth, was affable, loveable, tractab!e
and most considerate of the feelings OF
others when discussing problems Of
deep import, listening with patience and
respect to the opinion of the most hum
BILE citizen.
While he received the rewards of all
true reformers, disappointment, he had,