Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-06-29
CROSSING THE RIVER.


The question of fusion or no fusion
between populists and democrats in
1894 seems 10 us entirely premature.
The hohely saying, ''never cross a
stream until you come to it," has a
strong application to all future action
of these two parties in the state and
local elections. This much is certain;
If populist papers and public men
abuse and unjustly criticise the demo-
cratic administration as they have re-
Gently shown disposition to do, any
future coalition in the state will &c out
example, the advice of Hon. Harrison
Kelley and o. NJ. Rice should prevail
in the council of the populist party,
there can be no union of forces. We
understand from the public utteran-
ces or the gentlemen named that they
disclaim any affinity to the democrats
and are of the opinion that the sup
port of the democrats will be detri-
ment to their party and individual as
pirations rather than benefit. These
gentlemen have perfect right to their
opinions, and we find no fault with
them for expressing their honest SEN
timents. We rather respect them for
it. But what we wish to make clear is
this: If Gen. Kelley and Hon. 0. M.
Rice represent the ideas of the ropu-
list party upon that subject, any fu-
ture coalition, fusion or whatever you
may call it is out of the question. Dem
ocrats who have any self respect can.
not afford to sacrifice it by assuming
the role of OF political beggars.
There is another aspect to this ques-
tiion which has not escaped the notice
of any careful observer of currant
events. There has been studied effort
to break up the democratic organiza-
ton in Kansas. Chairman Jones, who
was not an original fuSionist but who
accepted the result of the July conven-
ton in good faith, has been abused
most shamefully by the very parties for
whom he was working. Democratic
committee men and leading democrats
were snubbed during the last campaign
and ignored all with a view of break
ing their influence in their party. Pop
ulist candidates wanted the support of
democratic voters, but they wanted
a q Ypd1 Ia, 4
In this their policy is in line with that
of the railroads and big corporations
who employ large number of men. In
all matters of business between them
selves and their employees, they are
willing to confer with them as indi-
viduals but not as members of any par
ticular labor organization. They also
know that in union there is strength"
Any benefits Or advantages the en-
plOyees of corporation have obtained
have come to them through organiza-
ton. To destroy their organization
means to deliver them into the hands
of their employers as subjects, not as
free men. An army without officers is
a mob to be routed by any small num-
Der of disciplined soldiers. 1t is the
same with political party. Destroy
its organization and you have killed the
party.
Democrats of Kansas during the
next few years will be called upon to
exercise tie coolest and keenest judge
ment. Old and new prejudices should
be entirely disregarded. Small tenn
porary or personal advantages should
cut no figure where the good of the
state and nation is involved. Every
democrat believes that by the general
of democratic ideas and
principles in private business and pub
lie affairs the welfare of the whole
people is promoted, and keeping that
idea steadily in mind he will be able
to judge what is best when the time
for the next campaign arrives. When
he arrives at the river bank he can
best determine whether to swim the
river, hire boat, construct a float,
build bridge or head it off.-LeRoy