Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1894-05-03
REPUBLICAN MATTERS.
THE LOGIC OF POPULISM.
Its Doctrines Are Mischicyous In Spirit
and Tend to Revolution.


and Tend to Revolution.
The disgraceful condition OF things
In South Carolina is another illus
tration of the logical effect Of Popu.
lism. In every state where that
form of political lunacy has obtained
controlling power there has been an
experience of disorder, OF violence,
of threatened anarchy. 1t was SO in
Kansas, and later in Colorado, and
now we have another striking exam
pie in another section of the country,
thus showing that the cause of such
outbreaks is not local or accidental,
but peculiar to the doctrines and
methods of the Popullsts wherever
they are rigidly applied. The simpel
fact is that Populism represents a
drift Of thought and feeling that is
antagonistic to existing institutions.
1t results in violence because it is
inconsistent with ideas of public
safety and prudence and with es-
tablished agencies for the cOnserva-
tion and promotion of the peace and
welfare of society. The men whom
it has developed as leaders are &C.
centric, reckless and irresponsible.
They seem to think it is their mis-
sion to create as much confusion and
excitement as possible. and to use
official authority in the most arbi-
trary and astonishing manner. If
one of them has ever in any con-
tlngency manifested an ordinary de-
gree Of good sense, the country has
certainly not heard of it, nor is there
any reason to believe that thoy are
capable Of any such service.
1t is no longer necessary to dis
cuss Populism as an unknown quanti-
ty. says the st. Louis Globe-Demo-
crat. The lessons of experience
have taught us what it is and what
is to be expected from it wherever
it gains ascendency. There is moth
ing in it, as its practical effects have
shown, that intelligent and patriotic
citizens can afford to indorse or in
dulge. It's spirit is essentially mis-
chievous, its tendency is indisput-
able revolutionary. The doctrines
that it represents involve serious
dangers, and the results that it is
seeking to accomplish are in all
respects contrary to the best inter-
ests of the people. There is but one
proper way to deal with it, and that
is to denounce and resist it in all
localities and under all circum-
stances. 1t includes among its ad-
herents many sincere men, we
may allow; but this does
nor change the fact of it's
inherent error and peril. The
logic OF it's creed and purposes is in
direct conflict with those principles
and appliances which society has
adopted for defense against prevail
ing evils. 1t is calculated to do
harm, and harm only. The injury
that it has already accustomed is SUI
fcient to satisfy any reasonable per-
son that no good is likely to come
from it, When it is plainly seen to
be conducive to public disturbance,
official usurpation and general de-
mOralizatiOn. there is no Justitica-
tiOn and no excuse for giving it the
least countenance. All w-abiding
citizens are in duty bound to oppose
such force in politics, and to exert
their influence for the preservation
of the social fabric which it is de-
signed to subvert by such processes
as have been introduced in the states
where it has secured the opportunity
of practical application to the bust
| ness OF government.