The Washington times., 1894-04-11
THE MISSION OF THE popULISTS.

very fiattering. The old par
fhoh ties are becoming disorgan-
NEBRASKA. lied and will become more
so as time advances and the people learn that
they have been and are being deceived by the
attitude Of these parties on the money ques-
ton. The antagonism OF the old parties to
silver is not because silver is not adapted to
money purposes, but because it is becoming
so plentiful that few men and corporations
can no longer corner it, and by that means
control the prices OF property and labor.
These men and corporations have been able
to control the action of every branch of the
government heretofore in their own interest.
The time is speedily coming when the people
will realize fully that the master question OF
the hour is the money question, and when
they do so the Populist party will come into
power.
The issues of the past 100 years will be val
liable and referred to principally as showing
the possibilities of the race and the obstacles
that organized society can successfully meet
and overcome and retain its organization.
An entirely new field in political, social, and
economic life will be occupied in the future;
greater attention will be given to the fitness
and patriotism OF men chosen for public posi-
tions greater iealously will be exhibited by
the people OF recreant performance Of pub
lie duty; higher and better social conditions
will be demanded for all classes; special priv
ileges. incompatible with public safety and the
general welfare, will be taken away; and there
will be a general upward movement OF the
people for better and higher life.
1t IS hard to tell what will be the outcome
of the tariff legislation. The old parties have
been fighting the tariff battle for years. The
Republican party stands for what 1t is pleased
to call protective, but what is, in fact, a pro-
hibitory, tariff, destroying the competitive
market. The Democratic party stands for
what is commonly known as free trade. do
not look for any compromise or drawn battle
between these parties so long as they can keep
the question before the people to deceive and
mislead them by making them believe that it
is the main issue. AZ long as they can they
will do this. The tariff is thrown every four
years to the people. as string is thrown to
kitten, simply to engage their attention and
induce them to believe that it is a blessing on
the one hand, and serious evil on the other.
or course the tariff is an important ques-
ton, but it is subordinate in every conceiv-
able point to the money question. A scientific
and just settlement Of the latter question will
dissipate nine-tenths of the evils affecting
society. l would set industry in motion and
put every man to work. There is no prob
ability that the tariff question will be taken
out of politics. or to be placed in the hands of
a non-partisan commission, as long as poll
ticians can keep it in politics and make it the
subject of repeated sham battles.
The American people move very slowly;
they are loath to believe their public servants
are recreant to duty, and they are more in
clined to bear evils if they are not too heavy
than to make change in their political
action, but when they do become
convinced that things are going from
bad to worse and that there is no
remedy but by a change in political par
ties, they do not hesitate to move quickly and
effectually. In my judgment political party
counts for nothing when It ceases TO act in
the interest of the people. Apolitical party
at best is means 10 an end the end being
good government; and whenever it ceases to
serve this useful end. it should be thrown
aside as we cast aside a wornout garment
that has served its day Of usefulness. Patri-
otism and loyalty to ones country. to the peo-
pie and their institutions, and sincere de-
sire to see everyone amply protected, in per-
son. property. and other rights. by the laws
of the country, in my judgment constitute the
highest ideals of true statesman.
The Populist party is in the line of promo
ton; it may be subjected to much criticism,
and ridiculed bya partisan or venal press
before it succeeds; it NAV be scoffed at and
spit upon by those who least understand its
lofty purposes, or by those who are interested
in special legal privileges, and who can only
retain their unjust power by the success of
political party under their control; but the
people will sooner or later give US power.
They arc bound sooner or later TO learn tha.
the old parties are welded to the monetary
and corporate interests of the country, and
have not the slightest concern for the welfare
of the humble and poor.
WILLIAM V. ALLEN.