THE STORY OF THE NONPARTISAN LEAGUE 



not that the majority purposed to govern, 

 but that the minority was likely to be dis- 

 possessed, and that with the passing of this 

 abnormal condition there might pass also the 

 whole golden network of privilege and profit 

 that had been woven around minority control. 

 It was this that caused the shudders and con- 

 tortions of horror, not the palpable fiction 

 that the farmers' organization was a hideous 

 monster from the anarchistic lairs of fetid 

 Europe, bedecked with horrible red flags. 

 Behind the farmers appeared the likelihood 

 that some day false grades might be abol- 

 ished, wash sales eliminated, and the mixing- 

 house might cease its wonders to perform. 

 In plain terms, excessive and long-enjoyed 

 profits were put in peril, with the true historic 

 result. 



Since we are on this subject we may as well 

 have the whole truth and own that something 

 also is to be allowed for the fact that the Sys- 

 tem had come to have a certain powerful sup- 

 port in the feeling of social caste. There were 

 those that could have no direct interest in 

 the dividends at stake yet looked upon the 

 League much as the dukes and fine ladies 

 looked upon Jack Cade's rebellion. Low, in- 

 ferior creatures were rising against those of 

 the better station, to whom God in His wisdom 

 had committed the property interests of the 

 nation and likewise its lawmaking machinery. 



216 



