THE FARMER'S WAR AGAINST MONOPOLIES. 397 



be compelled to pay prices out of all proportion to the 

 value of the articles purchased, in order that a few 

 manufacturers may amass large fortunes in an unnatu- 

 rally short period. The people have the right to 

 arrange their industrial system so that they shall pay 

 a fair price for their purchases, and no more. They 

 have a right to protect themselves from robbers and 

 plunderers, under whatever guise these enemies may 

 assail them. 



Theoretically, the people are the source of power 

 under our system of government, and Presidents and 

 Congressmen are but their servants, charged with the 

 execution of their wishes. But is this so in practice ? 

 Is the Congress of the United States the true exponent 

 of the popular will ? Do the people really sanction the 

 "land grab," the "salary steal," the Credit Mobilier 

 swindle, the numerous jobs and schemes which plunder 

 the people, and enrich a few unscrupulous individuals, 

 and which bear the stamp of Congressional approval? 

 Are the people really engaged in robbing themselves ? 

 It is absurd to ask the question. 



The people, thank God, are the source of power, and, 

 under our wise and beneficent system, they hold in their 

 own hands the remedy for the betrayal of their trust. 

 Their first duty is to exercise this remedy; to remove 

 from power and consign to official perdition the un- 

 faithful servants who have so wronged and misrepre- 

 sented them. This should be no party work. Repub- 

 licans and Democrats should join hands in it. It is not 

 a party question. It passes the limits of ordinary poli- 

 tics, and comes home to each individual voter. If he 

 values his rights as a citizen, if he wishes to save him- 

 self and his countrymen from being plundered, if he 



