The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1893-11-17
Passing of POpulislfl.

Sioux Falls Press
However astounding the republican
tr,umpns of the last election may nave
been. there is another feature OF the con-
test the Importance of which will grow
in the public mind as the days go oy.
That is the marvellous peterlng out OF
populism. While it was certain tha'
the country would sometime conVaiesee
from the alment which had been oreo
by general industrial unrest, but tremen-
dously aggravated by demagogues ana
soreheads. there was little room for hope
tha, the disease would so soon have l's
run Other movements, even more mer-
itorious than populism, have risen, de-
c]ned and fallen; but SO much was
claimed for this last uprising that II
seemed likely to be longer lived than lis
predecessors. And now it has been cur
down so low that scarcely any are so
humble as to do it reverence.
No third party can ever be galvanized
into vitality in this country-lt Will
spring normally and naturally into vigor
when needed, without the la,hering OF
professional agitators or the mlsrepfesen-
tations of disappointed chrome office
seekers and spite hunters. Beyond
question, there are many things in this
government which need change as is
ALWAYS the case in any government
where are progress and expansion and
the constant development OF new con
dltlons. But meritorious changes Go
not need as champions the kind OF men
who sought to boost populism into power
in order that they might manipulate
that power. Look at the men wao have
managed this moyement-not a single
man among them had any reputation for
craftsmanship or eminent ability Of any
sort--not a single man among them
was noted for his comprehension Of tthose
great philosophical principles which are
essential in determining policies of gov
ernment. They are all featherweights
Those who were honest We're fnndamen-
tally incompetent those who might
have been competent We're fundamen-
tally dishonest. The rank and file were
hoodwinked and deiuded by these mana
gers for time, aud there was room to
fear that the delusion might continue
indefinitely. But this last election has
demonstrated that the power OF the
leaders Is broken, and populism has
taken its place along with anti
Masonry, know nothlngisn, states rights
and other political fads that have been
sent to the cold and silent tor.b.
Whatever there is of value and worth
in the demands which have been made
IN the name OF populism viii be achieved
IN due time-much earlier and more
completely than it could possibly be
achieved by any third party movement.
The place for the champions Of changes
in government to secure What they want
in these times is within the lines Of
organizations already in existence-if
they can't be secured there they cannot
be secured at all. The utter failure of
the popullst movement has been
demonstrated to the minds Of its follow
ers SC throughly- they have become
SO dissatisfied with the rot and bIather
which has been dished up to them bv
their orators and organs-that they have
deserted it in battaIions and brigades-
anti they will soon be settled again il
position in their old political organiza.
tons 50 that through these they can
bring about the reforms which Their
s'raylng into independent movements
has really delayed.