The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-09-07
WATSON ON PoPuLlsM

WATSON ON PoPuLlsM
Tom Watson's Magazine for September col
aims this Illuminating exposition Of Populisn
which is described as protest as well as
reed:
In its last analysis Populism is a pro-
test against existing evils and an organized
efort to restore the government system Of
our fathers. The enemies of reform indict
us as disturbers of the public peace and, as
foes to the best interests of society, attempt
to set the conservative elements of the coun-
try against us. This is nothing new; the enc
mics OF reform have always tried to over
Whelm with rdicule and abuse those whose
attacks upon social political and ecclesiasti-
cal evils could not otherwise be met In
every society there are those who seek to
fatten upon special privileges; speak against
special privileges, and you incur the bitter
hatred OF those who enjoy them. They who
dared to say that the public lands of Rome
should be restored to the public were
butchered by the privileged few who had
seized the lands When Turgot, in France.
and after him Calonne, proposed to avert ma
t1onal bankruptcy and revolution by laying
a tax upon the colossal property of the
church and nobility, they were howled out
OF Office by the blind selfshness of the priv
LEGGED classes, who drifted madly into bloody
revolution rather than concede the lust de.
England demanded annual parliaments. man.
hood suffrage, secret ballot, the laying off Of
regular parliamentary districts and the nav
ment OF stated salaries to the members .
storm OF indignation, backed by the fixed
bayonet OF the British soldier, drove the
Cnartlsts into the outer darkness of politi-
cal defeat, and another generation had to be
born and educated before the reasonable
demands OF the Chartists became with one
exceptlon) the law of Great Britain. So the
Populists, asking nothing that shrinks from
the test OF full and fair discussion. have
Deen pltilessly assailed as lot of cranks
fanatics and hpodlums whose alleged nrin.
clples were unworthy of serious considera.
ton. The very essence of Popuism is an
tagonsm to class legislation and to snecia1
privilege Its constant text is "Euual and
exact justice to all men, it's constant MIR.
pose to check the tendency which concan.
trates the political power and all material
prosperity into the hands of the few We
arralgn existing conditions, and we saw thar
the worst features of the European svstor,
which our forefathers came here IN acoana
are creeping into our government and finding
secure footing in our statute book. Onr oor
poratlons nave become privileged ordar
armed Win the power to tax the unprivileged
and thus we have an aristocracv Our
wealth has been exempt from TAXATION MOI
secure from the ordinary chances of com.
petition by laws which tend to make tho riot
rlcher; and thus by legalizing the ADVANTAGES
OF the millionaire we make certain that the
numbers OF those who must remain nenni.
Tess shan ever increase Wealth, after ALI
is but common fund from which ali mmst
derive existence. If few have seized mon
more than they are legally and eonitablv
entitled to, the many will get less than thav
need and less than they legally and emit.
ably deserve. Populism would remedy the
disease ny removing the cause. We trace
every evil OF our present situation IN cow
departure from the true principles I nnn,,