Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-10-17
POPULLSM as 1T is.

AT hrst 1t was the conviction of q
goodly number that Populism was a
thing of extraordinary loneliness, and
would prove a perennial joy that it
was the grandest evolution of the ages,
and a most splendid triumph of mind
over the knotty and perplexing prob
lens of government an unmixed
blessing, it also possessed the magic of
unlimited efficiency, and would be
speedily instantaneous in purifying the
corruptions of politics, cleansing the
long acumulating deflements of the
Augean stables, and converting this
country into a sinless paradise of super
abundance, happiness and prosperity.
These good people, not content to ''let
wellsnough alone" and preferring Ito
fly to ills they know not Of" thought
they discerned beneath the v~ariegated
colorings and glittering embroideries
of this ''iridescent dream" the grand
est utilities, a financial system that
would turn the marble over the mould
ering ashes of Alexander Hamilton
green with envy, and national wealth,
power and glory far surprising Babylo-
MAN imagination. But the practical
effects, wherever Populism has obtain.
ed controlling power, has disenchanted
many of these good people who were
honest and sanguine in the belief that,
next to the pardon of their sins and the
salvation of their souls, they had at
last got hold of the best thing in the
world.
Populism, as illustrated in the shame
full state of affairs in South Carolina,
Kansas, Colorado and in every other
locality where it obtained supremacy,
is the embodiment Of thought, feeling
and purposes hostile to our existing
forms of government. In those States,
especially, 1t arrayed itself against the
established ideas of prudence and pub
lie safety and made violent war upon
the agencies for the protection of 80.
ciety and the preservation of the peace.
There has been q reign of confusion,
disorder, violence and threatened an
archy, manifesting the mischevious
spirit and revolutionary tendency of
this aggravated form of political lu-
macy. Its manifest designs and the
logic of its doctrines directly antagon-
ize the time tested and time approved
ideas and instrumentalies which society
employs for its protection against the
evils and dangers growing out of the
anarchy of human errors and profess
ions. Nothing more is needed to con-
vince the reasonable and fair minded
man that nothing car come out Of this
revolutionary scheme other than the
i%ncalculaDle injuries and mischief it
has occasioned to those communities
which have, under the guidance Of an
insane fanaticism, given it counter
nee and commentator. They have
been disgraced by public disturbances,
general Generalization, and a supreme
contempt Of law and morals. That
many honest men are to be found
among its followers does not alter the
fact of its grave errors nor lessen the
fearful dangers and disasters 1t invokes,
because tie leadershipit has developed
Is composed entirely of men who are
the offscourings Of all parties, unscru-
pulous, reckless, irresponsible, and use
power only to abuse it.
1t Is q streak of good fortune, for
which we should be extremely thank.
full, that this dangerous form of politi-
cal wickedness and luuacy has never
been able to gain a foothold in Tonnes
see. In the few localities, in which it
has erupted, it has been promptly and
effectually stamped out. We have
enough Of crimes 10 atone for, enough