The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-10-21
THE PEOPLE VS.. THE SPECIAL
INTERESTS,
r. the Readers of the Commone

TO the Readers of the Commoner:
Another fight is on between the
people and the special interests, and
the democratic party is the only par
ty in position to take the people S
side, EX-President Roosevelt is bel
lowing for war. He wants this ma
ton to enter the present conflict, and
his chief adviser, Geo. w. Perkins, is
identified with the steel trust which
is ready to furnish the preparedness.
Ex- President Taft, who has the sup
port of all the trusts that are not
supporting Mr.. Roosevelt, wants to
increase the army and navy appro-
priations one hundred and fifty mil
lions, 60 per cent, so that we shall
be able to join Europe in future wars
that is the plan of his league to
enforce peace"
Both Roosevelt and Taft are pro-
ectionists-they believe in taxing
the many for the benefit of the few,
and preparedness gives an excuse for
raising the tariff. The democratic
party took the side of the people
against the tariff barons; it took the
side of the people against the trust
magnates, and it took the side of the
people against Wall street.-the real
money power back of both tarlH
barons and trust magnates.
Now, a new power has arisen in
the land and demands control Of the
taxing power. 1t is the preparers of
preparedness-the battleship build
ers and the manufacturers OF NUM-
tons. They have been making enor-
nous profits supplying the belliger-
ent nations with fighting material,
but the European war must end some
time-not as long as these human
vultures can keep it going-but some
time; and what will these concerns
do for watermelon like dividends
then? There is only one way to in
sure their continued prosperity
they must lash this country into a
state of chronic fear, and then coin
the fear into dollars. They already
have their subsidized organs setting
up false standard of national honor
the duelist's Standard; they are
clarifying brute force. They are
transplanting upon American soil
the European tree Of hatred which is
bearing it's bloody fruit across the At
lantic.
No time is to be lost; immediate
action is necessary. Congress will
soon meet, and when it meets this is
sue will confront it, Write to your
congressman write to both your SEN
ators. Tell them that this nation
does not need burglars tools unless
it intends to make burglary it's bust
ness; it should not be pistol toting
nation unless it is going to adopt
pistol toters ideas.
Don't let the jingoes confuse the
issue. 1t is not question of defense
this country will defend itself if it
is ever attacked-and if that time
ever comes the common people will
furnish the soldiers-those who fight
when the country needs fighters, and
work when the country needs work
ers-the jingoes will be too busy
making army contracts and negotiat
ing usurious war loans to go to the
front. The preparedness now de-
manded will provoke war instead Of
preventing it, Peace among nations,
as among individuals, rests upon
friendship and good will, not upon
force or fear Try threats and ulti
matuEls on your neighbors and see
how they work, and then you will
understand the diplomacy that has
Redeemed the pages OF history and
delayed the coming OF universal
brothe. hood. Write-and write
now. w. j. BRYAN.