Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-12-30

days OF Lincoln.
Populism has not lived in vain, and is not
dead, only in name. The Populists set fotth
the same doctrines years ago, that are now
held, in some measure, by both Roosevelt AID
Bryan, the difference being that Popuism al-
vances to Socialism. l ain not speaking 50
much of methods as what is desired.
The President thinks he can give the masr
square deal by forcing the corporations IL o
the light, and by the enactment and entotce-
ment OF stringent laws in restraint of corpora e
such method will iail of curing evils.
1t is very probable that the President is tax
ing the only step that can now be taken. "The
corporations must come out into the open and
see and be seem" 1t is sound philosophy that
all the facts in the case should be known befo,e
we can form correct conclusions, and to cure "a
evil, 1t is necessary to know the cause of the
evil. "Must" implies that, if necessary, force
will be employed, and that there will be no
voluntary Coming out into thel open" TIE
Presidents deep interest is shown when be ar
nounces that he prefers to go with the pubic
and 'shape'' or "modify." The want Of a
great leader to 60 with the masses and shape
or modify has led to the wiecking of many
good cause.
Public opinion is sometimes converted into a
mob, and in curing mobs, the excuse is TAX Il
to restore the evil that led to the mob. To so
with public opinion and assist in unraveling
the profile. presented in the trust question is
a task worthy of great statesman and patrio,
Roosevelt would assist.
Politicians of the Cleveland camp have ex
pressed much satisfaction at the death OF ths
Popuist party. 1t goes without saying thu
Republican politicians have never had anything
but inteuse hatred for either the Populist pari
or its principles.
In the days of the persecution of Christian,
it became proverb that, "The blood of the
martyrs is the seed CT the church,
Principles of right and justice cannot b.
slain. More general diffusion of principle
follows disintegration. The Populist vote Is
scattered. Some are Bryan Democrats; son,
voted for Roosevelt, and larger number ente
ed the Socialist party. Confidence in Roost
welt does not seem to be misplaced. Bryan i
heading toward Socialism, and Socialism grow
with wonderful rapidity,
Cleveland Democracy is dead in name and
in fact, and the most popular men, with the
voters, in the Republican party are the meu
who come nearest to standing for Populist prn
cples. The terrific and untruthful onslaught
on Populism, and the annihilation of the o.
ganizatlon, have strengthened Populist prime
pies, so that, in apparent defeat, they NOV
forward to certain victory. The "open,
maybe, is first on the program, but the las
scene will reveal Socialism.
| am not prophet enough to say when We
will reach Socialism. Just now, we are in
Stormy period of unrest that presages change
1t may be with us as it is in Germany: A
dozen years ago, Socialists were forbidden to
hold meetings of any kind for the purpose OF
disseminating Socialist principles. An attempt
made to suppress the Socialist press, and
thousands of men were imprisoned on trumped-
up charges of leses majestic. e., speaking
disrespectfully of the Emperor. In the lat
election, the Socialists polled almost half the
votes cast in the empire, and Berlin sent six
deputies to the German parliament, or reich
stag. In the near future, the Socialists vii,
control the German empire. No heads will b.
cut off, but the standing army will be abolish
ed, and national militia will take its place
Germanv will not 60 to war if the people are
not willing. The Emperor will be figure
head instead of "war lord.' Wealth will BIZ
held collectively, for the benefit of all.
This is the program, and in ten years, il
will be in force, at the rate it has been coming
Socialism will be brought to the American
people as soon as they are ready-not sooner
let us hope. Premature births are fatal to Wig
orous adult life, where reforms are concerned