5
APRIL 22, 1910
Organize for the Fight
Now Is the time for democrats to throw their
influence Into the contest and assist In estab
lishing that great democratic principle of "equal
rights to all and special privileges to none."
Both through The Commoner and on the stump
Mr. Bryan is urging the people to announce cer
tain principles with an emphasis that will settle
the questions so far as democracy is concerned.
First That political platforms are binding
upon those elected upon them.
Second That tariff laws should be levied for
the purpose of raising revenue and not for the
purpose of distributing protection among such
special interests as may be able to enforce their
claims by coercion or by campaign contributions.
Third The election of United States senators
by direct vote of the people, and
Fourth The adoption of the income tax
amendment to the federal constitution.
Now is the time to discuss with your neighbor
these questions of vital importance to him while
there Is no partisan clamor to prejudice his
mind. The Commoner sent to an unprejudiced
man during the coming year will convince him
that it is his duty to himself, and to his fellow
man, to take up this battle in the interest of the
whole people. All congressional candidates
should be pledged to the principles above stated
and all state legislative candidates should be
pledged to the income tax amendment. The
Commoner invites you to assist in an earnest
effort to secure a victory for our party and our
principles. No victory is possible without effort.
Are you willing to make the effort?
Hill C. Moore, Phoenix, Ariz. I am with Mr.
Bryan on all questions except the wool question.
I am with him on the wool question so far as
he goes "that it is no benefit to the mass of
the people" (the tariff). One would suppose
that it was a benefit to the wool growers. I am
a wool man and I have always insisted that it
is no benefit to the farmer that raised the wool.
I sold wool for 50 cents and 60 cents when there
was no tariff on wool. What do wo get now?
Every time the tariff was put on the wool It
made wool sell for less and at the same time
made- wearing apparel go higher." Why? Easy
enough, for you see that the American manu
facturer has to have the fine foreign wool or
they could not compete with the English man
ufacturer in the fine fabric. Consequently, when
they pay a duty on that wool they come out to
the farmer and take that of him and it is not
all as it is like other tariffs that are above a
revenue basis. It only protects the one man.
Please think of it as I am with you all the time.
Yours for better government.
Thomas H. Slaven, Calif. Enclosed please
find draft for $12.60 to pay for twenty-one sub
scribers for another year. From a democrat
"going on" 78 years. I wish you a prosperous
year.
.T. L. Borom and H. W. Ballard, Alabama
We enclose herewith cashier's check for $19.80
which is 60 cents each for the above subscribers.
With best wishes for The Commoner.
Judge Truman E. Ames, Shelbyville, 111. Ap
preciative democrats in this county are proud
of The Commoner and its editor. The article
in the last issue, entitled "The Marriage of the
Oceans" is the best and most descriptive article
that has ever yet been written about the great
canal. It is worth many times the subscription
price of the paper.
J. Stevens, Eureka, .Kan. I wish to suggest
that it would be a good idea to raise a fund and
have The Commoner distributed to from 300 to
500 republicans in every county in the United
States. Mr. Bryan has been the greatest edu
cator we have had during the past twelve years.
Each of the following persons have sent in
subscriptions to The Commoner in number as
follows: F. H. BIkle, Pa., 5; H. S. Ritter, Kan.,
5; C. A. Taylor, Ariz., 25; Wm. R. Duke, Va., 5;
A. M. Way, Wash., 5; D. A. Young, Mo., 5; J.
S. Silvey, Kan., 10; W. M. Hill, Mo., 7; W. W.
Chesly, la., 7; Geo. S. Greene, O., 5; Arthur
Sears, Pa., 5; Welton Winn., Tex., 5; A. E.
Snodgrass, Kan., 5; W. H. Putnam, Wis., 16;
James Cronan, Nev., 5; J. E. Conner, Wash., 5;
J. S. Welser, N. D 5; J. A. Jayne, N. Y., 6;
P. D. Sturdevant, Neb., 5; John Larson, Wash.,
5; C. C. Cronbough, la., 7; M. P. Hayes, Cal.,
6; Thos. McNeal, Tex., 5; N. Nish, la., 5; A. K.
Van Home, 111., 14; H. H. Sappington, Mont., 5;
John Wampfler, N. Y., 5; George Straw, Pa., 6;
Emil Understock, Cal., 5; C. J. Donohue, Ind.,
5; F. C. Showerman, N. Y., 7; S. H. Lowe,
Kenmore, N. D., 5; D. W. Smart, la., 5; S.
Brownell, Cal., 5; E. B. Robison, Utah, 5;
The Commoner.
Dennis Wilson, O., 5; Ely Best, Oro., 5; Edw.
Davis, Col., 5; J. E. Ervay, Cal., 5; Jan. L.
Balrey, S. D., 6; A. C. Armstrong, Tex., 6; E.
M. Runk, N. D., 8; A. B. Crist, Downs, Kan., C;
W. E. Ireland, O., 5; T. G. Wibloy, Kan., 8;
S. Hungerford, 111., 4; G. M. Keen, S. D 5;
Lucy J. Gardner, Col., 5; John W. Hornaday,
Ind., 5; E. Hightower, Mo., 5; Jno. S. Barnes,
111., 6; F. A. Bidwell, S. D., 5; Geo. Mazenko,
Pa., 6;. F. E. Poll, Wis., 9; Dr. A. J. Lang, N.
D., 14; E. W. Roam, Ind., 5; J. A. Wilson,
Utah, 7; O. J. Schley, Minn., 10; T. F. Hickoy,
Okla., 8; J. W. Mulholland, Pa., 8; Juo. R. Mor
row, Pa., 7; Geo. C. Cooper, Wis., 6; O. II.
Rindy, Minn., 5; E. J. Rosmans, Nob., 5; B. F.
Scott, Minn., 7; Richard Moore, Okla., 6; R. W.
Zuel, Minn., 6; J. J. Eastln, Col., 6; I. K. Blng
aman, O., 5; F. H. Powe, Miss., 5; R. E. Head
ley, O., 5; J. D. Hunt, Okla., 5; E. M. A. Reese,
0., 6; G. C. Ovlatt, Pa., 6; W. T. McCulloch, N.
p., 5; Jno. J. Bell, Mich., 5; Edwin H. Winans,
N. Y., 7; Thos. J. Meighen, Minn., 5; B. A.
Robinson, Kan., 6; Jno. Akerman, O., 5; J. R.
Artherholt, Pa., 5; B. B. Sharp, 111., 6; R. S.
McCrary, Kan., 5; B. R. Pound, Tex., 5; J. W.
Barker, Pa., 5; Dr. S. Whitbeck, Minn., 5; J.
Grover Scales, Okla., 7; D. C. St. John, N. Y.
7; W. H. Randolph, N. C, 5; J. T. Kornprobst,
N. Y., 5; J. A. Rankin, Pa., 5; B. F. Richard
son, la., 5; N. S. Bainter, Ind., 7; R. M. Phelps,
Cal., 10; F. L. Tate, Kan., 5; E. Sharrock, Cal.,
6; W. E. Goozeo, N. D., 6; L. Moen, Minn., 5;
Geo. Tichenor, Ind., 7; Philip Baker, Ind., 4;
Frank E. Buck, Mo., 5; J. W. Walker, Kan., 5;
J. J. Neill & Sons, N. D., 5; G. E. Hutchison,
Kan., 10; David Lloyd, N. D., 8; Frank Wll
berding, Ky., 6; Ernest J. Gold, Mo., 5; J. F.
Strothman, Kan., 6; S. S. Seiple, O., 7; F. V.
Miller, O., 6; John L. Couch, Pa., 5; S. S. Mann,
Okla., 9; E. H. Marlow, W. Va., 8; J. F. Kent,
la., 5; R. T. Ham, Mo., 5; C. A. Conkling, Kan.,
5; J. L. Gall, O., 5; W. A. Glasgow, Okla., 5;
jr L. Ainsworth, Mont, 5; Dr. Geo. A. Love,
Minn., 6; B. T. Otos, Minn., 6; M. E. Booth,
Mo., 5; M. F. Burns, W. Va., 5; Ellas Shakely,
Pa., 5; W. T. Morris, La., 5; Wm. E. Parsons,
Mich., 5; J. C. Cockerham, Ore., 8; J. T. Burke,
Ind., 6; J. S. Gates, Pa"., 5;. H. T. Barnes, Mo.,
5; Col. W. H. Conrad, Mo., 5; J. W. Fine, Mo.,
5; Frank D. McKendall, R. I., 10; J. J. Shaffer,
Mich., 7; S. Johnson, Minn., 5; T. B. Waters,
Wis., 7; John Rei, S. D., 6; Thomas Grover,
Mich., 7; T. A. Bussard, Ind., 11; L. C. Stewart,
111., 5; Jos. Demock, Cal., 5; S. R. Coe, la., 5;
Ed Cusack, Wyo., 7; F. C. Hollenbeck, Minn.,
6; E. W. Woodward, Mo., 6; Jno. P. Rideout,
Me., 6; H. L. Housen, Minn , 5; O. E. Thomas,
Mont., 5; A. Jones, Wyo., 5; W. Van Sice, Ida.,
5; C. M. Threlkeld, Mont., 6; L. E. Bolstad,
la., 5; Geo. P. Randall, Nev., 10; N. M. Swan
son, Wash., 5; J. R. Helper, Ida., 6; W. C. Will
coxen, 111., 5; T. D. Sample, Jr., Mo., 9; Albert
McCracken, Ind., 6; Rev. H. II. Osterhout,
Minn., 15; Eli Goeller, Neb., 5; J. A. Holmes,
N. Y., 5; Carl Christenson, Wis., 5; J. W. Berk
heimer, N. D., 10; Chas. H. Gogel, Pa., 10; E.
J. Fudge, Cal., 5; A. S. Childers, W. Va., 6; A.
D. Whitson, Kan., 5; C. E. Friedrlch, Minn., 6;
Oscar L. Mahoney, Ariz., 7; P. L. Frazier, Ore.,
5; Wm. Allen, Wash., 6; John J. LeCron, Wyo.,
18; E. A. Hoag, Mich., 5; Geo. E. Stayton, Cal.,
5; Geo. C. Brown, Okla., 5; T. J. Grubb, Wash.,
8; Amil Markee, Wis., 10; W. J. Risen, Okla.,
5; Geo. A. Jenior, O., 5; W. Sinks, O., 6; Mrs.
S. C. Dickson, Neb., 5; A. S. Bowen, Ind., 10;
Geo. Hutchinson, Mont., 5; R. M. Phillips, Ark.,
6; G. O. Calhoun, M. D., 111., 5; John DIgnum,
111., 5; Harry E. Davis, la., 5; W. A. Johnson,
Sr.f Wyo., 10; Peter I. Johnson, Minn., 5; T. F.
North, Kan., 15; Geo. W. Hank, O., 5; Wm.
Knoop, Pa., 5;"R. C. Boggs, Mo., 5; W. Arnold,
Mont., 5; M. M. Spence, 111., 6; J. M. Thomp
son, M. C, O., 9; W. B. Janes, Tex., 5; B. G.
Mathews, Neb., 5; Jas. R. Horn, Tex., 5; D.
Tarbet, 111., 5; A. B. Judy, W. Va., 5; F. H.
Goff, Tex., 6; Lloyd A. Johnson, Kan., 6.
A GRAND OLD BOOK
Writing for the Nebraska Teacher, Mr. N. C.
Abbott, superintendent of the Nebraska School
for the Blind, pays this beautiful tribute to the
Book of Books:
"The pioneers were fortunate In that they
had few books to read. One of the curses of
our present day is the multiplying of volumes,
ninety-nine out of a hundred of which would be
better burned than bound.
"Books were not plentiful In those days and
they could not have been transported over hill
and mountain and valley, even if the eastern
states had then been glutted as they are today.
But they did bring one book with them and this
one book gave bone and sinew to their moral
character. They brought with them the book
that Impressed upon John Ruskln its own pecu-
liar style and that mado Agraham Lincoln the
clearest and most beautiful writer America has
thus far produced.
"As to older people, no words of mine can
add to your appreciation of our Blblo. But to
the younger ones I put sonio questions: Whoro
can you find narrative more vivid than tho "Book
of Joshua?" What love-story inoro touching
than Ruth? What philosophy moro profound
than that in tho 'Epistles of Paul?' What
poetry more beautiful than Solomon's? What
tragedy moro vital than tho 'Book of Job?'
"Seek profano history whoro ,ou will and I
am ready to maintain that the Bible has a char
actor and scone equal to any that you will find
elsewhere.
"Achilles has his equal for fortitude and en
durance in Samson; David is a moro appealing
character than Ulysses; and Paul exhibits moro
eloquence than Demosthenes.
"Somo time ago tho rotfrlng president of Har
vard, Dr. Eliot, recommended to tho American
people five feet of books that in his judgment
contained all tho reading one would need in
order to acquire a liberal oducatlon. We looked
in vain for tho Bible. It may bo presumptuous
for an insignificant pedagogue In a western stato
to offer criticism upon- tho most distinguished
scholar in America; nevertheless I am hero to
maintain that no list of books will over recoivo
standing among our people which omits tho
name of tho one book loved by all.
"There are two short bits of prose that seem
to mo to reach the heights of eloquence. One
of them contains but ninety-eight words and
was uttered by our martyred Lincoln on tho
battlefield of Gettysburg. The other contains
ono hundred and eighteen words and was writ
ten thousands of years ago by tho divine singer
of Israel:
" 'The Lord is my shepherd; I Bhall not want.
Ho maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
ho leadeth me beside the still waters. Ho re
storeth my soul; he leadeth me in tho paths of
righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though
I walk through tho valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with mo;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort mo. Thou
preparest a table before mo In tho presence of
mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me all the days of my lire;
and I will dwell in the house of tho Lord for
ever.' "
BEYOND THE GATES
We often wondered, she and I,
What thing might He behind tho wall,
Whose gate stands open when wo die,
Then sudden, shuts beyond recall.
We longed and looked, and dear ones past
As if on wings in viewless air.
No path they left, nor shadow cast,
They sailed and sailed, wo knew not where.
Sometimes when twilight gathered round,
Each spake to each when lamps were low.
And never yet God's answer found;
We only said, We do not know.
Then came a promise each to each,
Our thoughts still on the gate divine,
Beyond the wall, if one has speech,
Who enters first shall give a sign.
One summer day she left my side,
A struggle and tho angels won;
And that sad gate that stood so wide, . ,
I heard it close and all was done.
And then I waited for the sign;
If love could pierce the mighty wall,
Then she would speak, this lost of mine; '
I listened, but no word at all;
Till once, with Nature all In tune,
I walked beneath the myriad stars;
The breath of night was on the June,
And God seemed letting down tho bars.
And all at once I seemed to hear
Celestial music in the sky,
And her sweet voice, so soft and clear;
And then I knew we do not die.
S. H. M. Byers, in The Independent.
All new and renewal subscribers to Tho Com
moner during the month of April will receive
a year's subscription to tho national farm paper,
tho American Homestead, without additional
charge. Give your friends an opportunity to
join you in accepting this offer.
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