IS THE UNION A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION? 267 



three things to do. "We must fight, run or surrender. " 

 We have the power of numbers, the force of intelligence 

 and the means at hand to carry our demands to a success- 

 ful termination. Do we lack the manhood? Are we 

 wanting in courage?/ If parties have left the highways of 

 statesmanship, of honesty and justice, are we compelled 

 to follow them for fear some imaginary foe will set upon 

 them and rob them of a success which they have forfeited 

 by their neglect of the rights of the people? Must we 

 condone their wrongs? Is party success so dear to the 

 American farmer, as to be purchased at the price of hard 

 labor for life, and perpetual financial bondage to his 

 children? Is the success of the demagogue more desirable 

 than the overthrow of monopolies? Can the siren songs 

 of the wily politician be harmoniously blended with the 

 groans of the hungry, naked and distressed? Does alle- 

 giance to a party fostering a system that robs the poor, 

 ignores the cries of the oppressed, and laughs at crime, 

 harmonize with the teachings of Christianity, and render 

 sweeter to the ear the songs of Heaven? What is the 

 matter with the people? They have all got pitch-forks 

 and want to pitch the blame on some one else. For 

 shame ! Be men, at least long enough to compare the 

 platforms of your party with the demands of labor. Read 

 the speeches of your Senators and Congressmen. Not the 

 speeches they send out to you, but the ones they don't 

 send out; the ones which they prefer you should not 

 read. 



"Oh, our party has not had a chance," says one. 

 Hasn't it? Did it have a chance to make its own plat- 

 form, and define its policy? Did it have a chance to 

 embody your demands therein? Did it have a chance to 

 leave the old nominating political machine in the closet 

 for once, and allow a representation of farmers in the legis- 

 lative halls in proportion to their numbers and interests? 



15 



