WANT PRODUCES THINKERS.
Some species of the brute creation open their eyes in nine days, but
some of the poor, blinded and burden-bearing creatures of humanity
scarcely ever succeed in getting their eyes fully open to the light of
God's blessed bestowals to mankind. Others soon realize the
repulsiveness of the black shadows that enthrall them and bite the dust
in anguish in their struggle to be free. And often, when higher reason
fails to prompt one to action, unsatiated appetite constitutes a
never-failing reminder. As necessity is the mother of invention, so is
poverty productive of thought. The earlier one's condition is reduced to
want, the sooner will the thought "materialize into action." Thus it is
with the debt-ridden toiler, the farmless farmer and the produceless
producer in their unrest in Alabama to-day. The general want has
produced general thought. Thought has instituted inquiry. Investigation
has inaugurated a revolt. The opposition to the Democratic party was, in
this manner, born out of want. Term it the "third party," or whatever
you may choose, it is really a necessary party; and its growth will
continue as long as the wants and demands of the neglected productive
interests go unheeded.
The ingenious old party leaders may appeal to the passions of some; the
"Force Bill," like Banquo's ghost, may continue to "bob up;" the farcial
cry of "negro supremacy" may again fill the air; but the wide-awake
spirit is becoming prevalent, and these politicians, instead of being
absorbed with the tar-_iff_, will soon be astounded at the tear-_off_
from the Democratic party.
The feeling of the usurer's grasp is more likely, hereafter, to convince
the possessor of the ballot of his duty, than will the artful arraying
of one section by corporation talent. The presence of the legislative
curse that makes the over-producing producer produceless, will, in days
soon to come, more largely influence a vast majority of the citizens of
this state in the exercise of their inalienable will, than will the
Democratic hobgoblin of the farcial prospective (?) "Force Bill." The
appeal for education that comes from the innocent eyes of little
children, as they caress a weary mother's careworn face, shall soon
carry more force of persuasion with the voter than will the bluster of
office-seekers in their feigned warnings of "negro rule;" and the father
will then seek to hand down to his children the magic wand that is
dispelling brutishness from the face of all the earth.
Thought having once inundated the passion-played Southern public mind,
an awakening is begun, and, aroused to an appreciation of affairs as
they exist, the rank and file of the people of Alabama are in an
astounding state of agitation. Some idea of the extent of this unrest
can be derived by recalling to mind the results of the last elections.
This change in public sentiment, and attainments of the reform crusaders
against the organized Democracy, will best be appreciated by an
understanding of the campaign intolerance and election methods which
have made the "Bourbon" historic, and which is fast making all those who
believe in keeping sacred our free institutions, shrink from the support
of men of such a party and a party of such methods and men.