By the Author.
This poem that I have dignified with the term epic, was written by
inspiration, and is dedicated to the human race. I have used the term
epic with no intention of assuming a dignity not due my production;
but, in the sense that the precepts and warnings contained therein,
have a lofty purpose; and are graphically set forth in the plainest
words in the English language.
I have not indulged in similes or hyperboles; nor does my epic abound
with those picturesque figures of comparison found in Homer or Virgil,
nor those cadences and swells found in The Paradise Lost, describing
the headlong falls and gigantic flights of those god-like personages
peopling the heavens and earth in the poetic mind; nor does my
inspiration come from muse or divine breath; nor did it descend upon
me from above; on the contrary, it sprang up out of the deep feeling I
have for my kind, especially those in the strained walks of life.
Our twentieth century shows society in the process of centralizing
itself; and, gradually forcing us into legal socialism. This is
plainly shown in the poem. The process of centralization, for years,
worked slowly in this country. As long as the influence of the founders
of our Republic was potent, liberty was dominant.
The first step in this process was the inauguration of a general system
of free public schools. The direct result of this free education was to
overcrowd the book and head portion of our population at the expense
of the producing classes, making it harder for the clerk to make a
bare living. The idea of every parent now seems to be that his or her
offspring is especially adapted to the learned professions and to
society.
This was also the first step towards the diversion of public funds to
private enterprise. The appropriation of public moneys to the extensive
and widening fields of private affairs has progressed rapidly in the
last decade. This, with its evils, is vividly set forth in my poem.
Unless this is checked by united, immediate action, socialism will
increase more rapidly in the future than in the past, is my prophecy.
This results from the fact that the tax-eaters are the ones who
manipulate our bond elections.
The result is plain, and can be predicted with certainty; the end of
socialism will be the extreme opposite and, that you all know is
anarchy. When everything is so striking that nothing strikes, or in
other words, when there are more laws than we can possibly tolerate,
we’ll naturally rebel and kick them all over; all, as shown in this
epic. The last transition will likely be accomplished by bloodshed and
strife.
The laws for the management of society in a state of complete legal
socialism will be so numerous and complicated; and the bureaus so
haughty and domineering that freemen will not try to learn them, much
less obey them. In fact, no one can now keep pace with the rapid
production of laws under our incipient socialism. The fight I make is
to break off now and go back to fundamentals, as shown in my poem.
As against socialism or anarchy I deliberately prefer the latter; but,
as against both of them I prefer a government of limited powers, based
exclusively on natural laws that I have so forcibly defined in this
work; with a complete abandonment of the barbarous idea of punishment
for crimes by criminal courts; the man who commits a crime is to be
pitied and helped to a more sane mode of existence, and not be driven
into perpetual criminality. As to how he shall be handled can be better
settled when we clear ourselves of our false notions on the subject.
Our legal servants, we call officers, are now deteriorating with great
rapidity, as set forth in this poem under “Names.” My remedy for that
is to cut down the salaries of all officers from President down, so low
that no one will seek office for money. Then have the laws such that
men will be selected and compelled to serve, by public sentiment, for
short terms and take out part of their pay in patriotism and good will.
My observation, over a number of years, shows that the higher the
salary, the more inefficient the officer. High salaries also give birth
to gangs of politicians who fatten off the public funds and salaries of
their appointees, making graft semi-respectable.
Honesty in public and private life seems to me to be very desirable;
and, it could be so easily attained, as set forth in my epic. Of
course, under our prevailing system, honesty is out of the question;
and if any of you think that I have not convicted you of dishonesty,
as defined under that topic, please send me your photograph to be used
herein.
In writing this poem I have no malice in my heart for a single human
being on earth; and, if in any way I have touched upon any of your
pet notions or sacred ideas, and thereby wounded your feelings, I
sincerely ask your forgiveness; with me all truth is sacred. I have no
ill-will against preachers, lawyers, or doctors; I wrote you up to make
you think, and also to let you know you were not fooling me.
In conclusion, I say to you one and all, as brothers and fellow
citizens, let’s work together to save the greatest country and the
greatest civilization on earth.
Let truth together bind us,
And supporting it find us.