The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-06-23

1ty AHOrOS-By degrees Only Can We
Expect to Attain All We Need.
The prominence being given to the
silver question seems to be exciting
fears in the minds of some of our Pop
ulist friends that the other planks in
the Omaha platform will either be
abandoned or neglected. In view Of
the situation we do not see any
grounds for such misrepresentation.
That the silver question is being given
great prominence is beyond question.
The reason for this is not because the
Popuiists seek to make it the para
mount question, but mainly BECAUSE
it is at present the main point Of at
tack from our enemies. A skillful
general endeavors to protect every
strategic point of his line of battle.
# the enemy concentrates his forces
on any one point the attack is met by
a concentrated effort to repel it. Free
silver is one Of the strategic points Of
the Populist's line Of battle. Cleve-
and and his plutocratic army are
bending every energy to break our
line at this point. What should the
Populists do, what can they do, but
defend their position? From COM
mon sense standpoint the Populists
occupy an advantageous position. The
discussion Of the silver question In
wolves the discussion Of the money
question proper. In this work Of
education we have as able allies the
silver men who are not, properly
speaking, Populists. They are Demo
Gratis and Republicans who are for
free silver. first and for party
afterward It is not proposed to fuse
with the silver men. It Is not pro-
posed to yield one iote Of principle.
We are simply travelling in the road to-
ward the accomplishment OF certain
things One of these things Is the res
toration Of silver to free coinage. We
advocate this, not because we favor
silver rs money,-for nine Populists
out of ten would discard both gold and
silver az domestic currency-but be.
cause we favor mere money, and free
silver is the best practical step in that
direction. Knowing full well that We
can't begin where we expect to leave
Of, We are willing to make step in
Vie right direction rather than to stand
Sill or to retrograde. Every inch OF
ths ground which the Populists occupy
will be contested in one Of the fiercest
battles ever fought since the world be-
gan. Having won victory for silver
and fortified that position by IN actual
demonstration that more money will
make better times, the next victory
will be easier1won. Those who are &C.
quainted with the situation will readily
perceive the logic of our position. We
do not admit that silver is the para
mount issue, but We do maintain that
it is the paramount practical issue, in
view of the present situation.
One of the reasons for
this is, we are acting on the defensive
which gives us . decided advantage.
Tho gold-bugs are forcing this issue.
They are trying to break our lines 1T
this point. For the Populists the order
Of battle is we'll chosen. At no point
in the whole line Of principles they lay
down as the basis Of economic gov
eminent are they stronger than on this
issue of free silver. Here they have
the most enlightenment and here they
have the strongest allies. Besides the
opposition. 20 tar rs political force
is concerned, is in state of distracted
disorder a. power of resistance. If
not q golden" it is certainly sssilver"
opportunity for the Populists to score
. victory and carry into operation ct
least one Of their demands Populists
may differ a. to which demand in their
platform is Of most Importance, but
they should not differ as to what
action to take when an opportunity is
presented to secure the enactment Of
any of them into law. Whenever the
situation il such as to present. IN OPP
portunity to enact an income tax law.
then, At that particular time, that il
the paramount practical issue"
So with al the other demands. They
should be regarded not solely with the
order of their actual Importance, but
in relation to the opportunities offered
to carry them into effect. The trouble
with some people is they want all or
nome They seem TO think that an ac-
ceptance Of any part Of our demands
without al b compromise Of our
position. In other words they seem to
think that we ought to begin Just
whore We could afford to leave on
without compromising our principles.
These reformers may be very good and
very well-meaning people, but their
position + wholly untenabls and inn
practicable. It is not only contrary
70 common sense hat antagonistic to
every known law Of nature. Things
ore attained and developed by degrees.
Il