Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-10-09
CHAPTER /.

Dacarded with the name OF Mafuh
Ray-Martin Ray, the Radical, the Re
former: the Voice OF the People AZ
ba liked best to call himself; the
pbilanthropiBt the hater OF queen ana
aristocracy, the teacher OF treason
the man who worked for, yet lived
upon the people; the man who was
half genius, half mailman, nan poet
full OF great thoughts all distorted,
full of grand ideas all wrong; a man
whose lips had been touched by the
divine fire Of cloquenCc, who could
stir the hearts Of the people as the
wind stirs the leaves a man who had
magnificent conceptions Of what the
world might be made, yet failed
utterly In making them practical
man over whom wise government
hestitates, hardly knowing whether
to crush him or to take him by the
hand and make a friend OF nm.
More than ono prime minister had
knitted his brows over the name OF
Martin Ray; more than one popular
outburgt had followed the fire of this
mans words. He was earnest and
sincere. He hated everything that ap-
pertained to royalty; against the
queen as a woman he said never
word-agalnst her AZ the head Of the
state he uttered thunders Of wrath.
The arIstocracy he hated with honest
hatred. He would have taken the
broad acres of duke and earl and
shared them among the IabOring poor
He protested that the monopoly of
wealth by few was gross injustice
to the many: he sWorc that he would
give his life to undo the wrong, at the
same time he was content to live him
self upon the subscriptions Of the
people whom he mlsIod and excited to
sodition,
He could be tracked easily as the
flaming fire that lays bare the
prairie, Wherever he went he was
followed by loud murmurs Of popular
discomfort. and then came riot and i'm.
prisonment In quiet hamlets, in
sleepy villages, in peaceful towns. in
factories, workshops, and garrets, his
words fell, aud set fire to those who
listened.
At larbury there had been Il trial
for bribery ut the elections. There
IL sure to be flaw In the armor
there" thought Martin Ray; ut is the
very place for a paying lecture by the
'workingmn friend. So the
wallis Of the old town were pIacardod
with the name Of Martin Ray, the
famous Radical, the people thirst, / to
see the now champion Of popular
rights, llarbury had always boen n
quiet conservative town. the inhabi-
tants of which had rarely troubled
themselves with politics save at olcC-
ton times; but now among the poor
and the artisan class new light was
spreading They were no longer to
be roproRsod and condemned, every
man was to have his due; there
should be none very rich none very
poor And the man who was to help
In the accomplishment Of all this was
coming -"fhe Voice Of the People -
Martin Ray, No wonder that the old
wallis were plaeardod and that every
gate and door bore his namc.
The largest plaCard of all was than
opposite the house of Amos llatton,
who lived in Castle street llarhury
the last descendant of what had once
boon II wealthy and powerful family.
For generations they had faded and
dcCayed; thoy had no longer houses
ar lands, nor oven position; and Amos
llattOn had been compelled to Apply
himself to one Of the professions. He
was n solicitor with small but pay
ing practice; and being n staunch
conservative the name of Martin Ray
In large letters opposite to his door
disploascd him greatly.
When he came down to breakfast
ON this fine May morning. there the
words were, looking him defantly in
the face, while his pretty daughter
Doris was gazing at them intentIy
She turned when he entered.
Papa she asked. what is n
Radical?"
The old lawyers face flushed hotly
Il will not answer YOU until fee
calmer. to say the least of II. II Is
most atrocious to place that nam,
there"
The girl looked at it with softcneC
eyes.
Martin Ray she suid-'Ht is no
bad name, papa"
ut Is not the name. but the man
rejotned the lawyer THE follow f.
capable of anything; and unfortunate
" he Is a tno orator, they say"
Il should like to hear him" sal,
Doris
Hear him! DO you want your carr
to burn, Doris, through listening /,
such doctrines rs his? Take IN,
word for II, the man who does not he
heve In and serve his queen fails Il
serve his Maker"
Doris made no answer. but in ne
heart she said that such sweepin
condemnation was unfalr-that man
men to whom the word ROYALTY.
even, was an abomination tried thci
best to lead a pure life.
Il do not see what politics have I
do with religion" said Doris drcamil,
L.,