266 HISTORY OF THE WHEEL AND ALLIANCE. 



To some extent these three propositions have already 

 been discussed. They will be more thoroughly treated in 

 Part Second of this volume. With regard to the condition 

 of the country we are all agreed. Upon the cause there is 

 but little difference of opinion. If we can agree upon the 

 remedy the battle is already half won. If we fail to agree 

 our effort will have been in vain. If we delay the appli- 

 cation of the proper remedy, the evils of which we 

 complain will assume a more aggravated nature, and the 

 bonds of slavery be more securely fastened. We have 

 already clear and well denned views of our wrongs and their 

 cause. We are aware that we must have some legislation 

 to remedy them. How are we to secure this without 

 going into politics? If we had nothing to do but reduce 

 our grievances to writing, and indicate our desires, and 

 hand them over to some party that was willing and ready 

 to enact the measures into law, it would be an easy task. 

 But where is that party? We have adopted the conserva- 

 tive method. We have formulated our demands and 

 published them to the world. They were consistent, just 

 and reasonable. They were in line with the teachings of 

 Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln and Stevens. As such they 

 should have been endorsed by the grand old parties, and 

 incorporated into their platforms. They were presented 

 in printed form to both these parties, with a request that 

 they be adopted or indorsed. How were they received? 

 They were ignored; treated with silent contempt. We 

 " asked for bread and they gave us a stone; for a fish and 

 they gave us a serpent.'' Now, what are we going to do? 

 u Keep out of politics," say some of our good brethren, 

 1 ( and ask for another fish. ' ' But we do not need another 

 serpent. We have got "more snakes now than we can 

 kill." What did we mean by making those demands? 

 Was it mere child's play? Did we mean business? Did 

 we consider them to be just? If so, there is only one of 



