The gold leaf., 1891-07-23
FOR A NEW DEAL.
The People Demand New Men
as Well as New Measures.
ALLURING PROMISES WON'T DO.

ALLURING PROMISES WON'T DO.
Why It Is Easier to M1Ich tho Reform
Army Under Its Own Banner Than t.
Divide II Under OH Party Leaders.
The Old Parties May Be Forced to
Change Platforms buk Not Leaders-
Copyright. 1891. BY the Reform Press News
ASsociatioa-1
The Vermont Farmers league held
great meeting at Montpelier the other
day at which public grievances and other
political questions were vigorously dis
cussed Some Of the demands which
we're formulated were the same as those
made at Ocala and Omaha. and some
were different. The sub-treasury plan,
for instance, was not favorably received.
But what OF it? The essential fact Is
that the farmers of Vermont and of New
England, yes, and the laborers of that
section, too, are sick and tired OF the
manner in which the public affairs Of
this country are administered They
have been robbed and deceived and bull
dozed long enough They believe the
time has come for new deal. And this
brings me to point which is often lost
sight Of in the great agitation which is
arousing the country.
The impending revolution Is a. much
a revolt against leaders as against meas
ures. Both the old parties have got out
of the hands of the people. They no
longer represent the will of the majority
of their members They are controlled
absolutely by rings of politicians and
Office holders, who ignore or defy the
common people The Democratic "ma-
chine" and the Republican machine"
are twin oligarchieA In slang phrase
the people are mot in it" So complete
is the control of both machines in the
hands Of the money power and other
corrupt influences, that the only hope Of
an outraged people seems to lie in po-
Iitical revolution. It appears to be cas-
ier for the people to regain the scepter
than by the capture Of either Of the old
ones
What picturel The people of a great
republic struggling to gain control of
their own n-government! What has made
such spectacle possible? The unfaith-
fulness Of public servants, and moth
ing else. The purpose Of the people to
punish that unfaithfulness is unanimous.
Even those who believe in striving for
reform through the old parties agree in
that See it all through the south, where
old local Democratic leaders are giving
place to new men. This purging Of the
dominant party is possible in some local
| tiles, but how about the whole nation:
The army of reform is divided between
| both parties in it's past affiliations Each
| party is controlled by ring. Every
body knows that. Both party rings are
the goldbugs. Everybody knows that
too. Now, how is the army of reform,
divided in half, to defeat, first, one of
| the political or party rings, and through
it the goldbugs? No matter what prom
ises by the old parties are made-and
they will be meant to deceive in any
! event-the army Of reform cannot be
marched by anybody's order into either
the Republican or Democratic camp. It
| can be marched under its own banner,
! many millions strong. into camp of its
own!
There is the logic Of the whole politi-
cal situation clear as daylight. Does it
not make compromise with either Of the
| old parties out of the question? The de.
| inand of reform is for new men as well
ae new measures That is a demand
which neither the Republican nor the
| Democratic party will ever grant. They
would swallow the whole Alliance plat
form if forced to it; but give up control
| Cf the machine? Never! That would
mean the destruction Of the power be-
hind the throne. That would mean the
downfall of plutocracy. That would
mean the restoration of the people tc
| power
-
Be not deceived by oily offers Of plat.
form concessions. They cost nothing.
They mean little. What If one or both
parties in final panic next year incorpo.
rate all the Alliance demands in its plat
form. What will it amount to, provided
the same men and influences still con.
troll the party? It is no unprecedented
thing for party to be false to its plat.
form. Indeed, it has become so common
that it excites little surprise, and If the
people in disgust turn to the other party,
| the goldbugs behind the scenes laugh
and rub their hands and say to each
| ether. "What fools these mortals be- ,
What cares Wall street which party is
in power as long as it controls botlh
When one Of tho old parties says te
the reform army. Name our cand.
dates" then we can accept their profes
sions Of sympathy with some faith in
their sincerity. But that day will neve,
come. A sop or two will be thrown tc
the reform leaders. That's all Let me
give you a sample. One of the Old party
,lAchines recently made overtures, the
party might name their candidate fol
vice president in 1s9o What an insult
And what fools the politicians are tc
think the exasperated people Of thii
country are to be caught by snch chaff
The vice presidency has been-the empty
honor with which both parties have paid
awkward political debts for years. Il
goes always either to a bag OF money OF
to disappointed candidate for tho frs
place on the ticket The incumbent o
the Office is merely waiter for deaG
mems shoes Ii the president dies he be
comes somebody not otherwise.
1t Is by promises of all sorts of conces
sions witlGn the next year that the oli
party leaders will try To check the thirt
pa.iy ln.,a..en; To tle people Of thu
south these assurances will be mad,
more alluring than to all others LIE
them not be deceived. Local supremacy
state control of party and officers. ampl
concessions in national platforms. all vii
be laid at their feet with the most SO,
enn protestations Of loyalty to the inter
ests of the farmer But southern Dam
ocrats no longer control the nationa
| l.