IS THE UNION A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION? 271 



ner. We should ignore partisan politics altogether. Stay 

 away from the machine conventions. If the nominations 

 suit us and the names of our preferences may be sent into 

 the convention vote for them; if not, bring out and vote 

 for a man that does suit us. We have been dancing to 

 other people's music long enough. Let them dance to ours 

 awhile. Being a Democrat or a Republican is no qualifi- 

 cation for office. If it was we could go to the penitentiary 

 for candidates and make an improvement, for that matter, 

 on some that we get from the convention machine. It is 

 natural for men to legislate in the interest of that branch 

 of industry in which they are engaged. Hence the farmer, 

 as well as others, should be properly represented. But he 

 has not been for twenty years. Every class of trades and 

 professions are better represented than him, and he has 

 been considered the legitimate prey of all other classes. 



There is only one obstacle in the way of obtaining 

 justice. It is party prejudice. The men who persist in 

 being controlled by unchristian, unreasonable and unholy 

 passion to the exclusion of the enjoyment of the privileges 

 and immunities of a free, happy, and prosperous govern- 

 ment, has not even the consolation that His Satanic 

 Majesty had when hurled from the battlements of Heaven 

 into the Stygian pool: 



"To reign is worth ambition though in Hell, 

 Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.'* 



They do not reign but serve for the " crumbs that fall from 

 their master's table. " 



Ask a free, independent American citizen how he is 

 going to vote next year. He will tell you for the men and 

 party that represent the true principles of government, and 

 have the backbone to incorporate them in their platforms 

 and proclaim them in their acts. Ask the man who is con- 



