The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1911-06-30
ciaUlon.
To Represent the Common People.

o represent the common feople'
do the farmers of this country need
a new political partyT Strictly speak
ing, / would say no. Class parties are
not needed in this country and can
never succeed.
In order that my position may not
be misunderstood will add that the
people of this country need new
political party, and they need 1t badly
Political parties are not created by in
dividuals in secret session, but are
born deep down in the hearts of men,
forcing their way upward through
false and opposing opinions, as the
teDdrils of plants are forced through
the decaying vegetation Of former
years. The time has come when a
new party deserves to be born Both
OF the great political parties of the
present day are owned and controlled
by the money power of this country
Their difference is only in name 1t
matters not in the slightest degree
which political party may hold the
rcins of power, as its policies will be
directed by the great financial inter
ests The difference between eX Sena
tor Depew and the man elected to sue
coed him in the United States senate
exists only on paper. This farce will
continue to exist and be re-enacted in
every state in the Union as long as
these parties are allowed to predomi
nate.
There never was trucr maxim than
the one which reads. "a house divid-
ed against itself cannot stand. An
illustration of this may be seen on
many a page of history Turn back to
the tftieS and we find the slavery
question agitating all minds in this
country. Both parties were divided on
the subject In the northern states
the Wing leaders claimed to be friend
ly to the slave. while the same class
In the south was as bitterly opposed
in the other direction.
The same condition of affairs exist
ed in the Democratic party. That the
foul blot of slavery could be eifaced
from the escutcheon of our country
by either of these parties was an alb
solute impossbility. 1t was time for
a new party. and that party was then
born With the destruction of slavery
and with the settling Of the issues
which grew out of the war the mis-
sion of the Republican party was
ended.
Then came the rise of the great
money power. On every hilltop may
now be seen the splendid palaces of
our protected millionaires, while down
in the valleys can be seen the wretch
ed novels of the Italian and Hun
garian paupers who are usurping the
rights and privileges of the American
citizen. Our republic is travelling in
the same path and pointing to the
same destiny as did Tyre. Assyria.
Egypt, Greece and Rome. with the
difference that it will not take so long
to reach the goal.
Yes, a new party is needed. and 1t
can come none too quickly. The so
called insurgents of both the leading
parties of the present day must unite
in the great work of its organization.
This party should represent the com
mon people-the toiling masses of this
country. This would include not only
the farmers. but every man whose
bread is earned by the sweat of his
brow and who is today being despoil-
ed of his birthright Unless this is
soon done the fate of this country can
be as easily predicted as the fate of
barbarian hosts of Alaric swept down
from the northern wilderness upon
her imperial palaces and Iegions.
l.. q. BATEMAN.
Lewiston, Me.