Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-08-22
Mr.. CIover's Interesting Appeal to Pop
uliStS,

ul1SESs
Mr.. Clover. who was an active pro-
mOter of the POpuliSt movement in Kan
SaS, who was elected to Congress in 1890
from the Third district of that state by
more than 5000 majority over the Re
publican candidate, and who has served
rs president of the Kansas Farmers al
lance and as vlce-preSident of the Ma
tional alliance has recently addressed a
letter to that great body of farmers adviS-
ing them to abandon the Populist party.
and throw their influence for Republican
candidates for Congress. Speaking about
Mr. Cloyer'S letter. the Inter Ocean says:
He reminds them that he and they
Joined with the Democrats of Kansas to
down the robber tariff barons and to
overthrow the banded plutocrats.' And
he invites them to an inspection of pres
ent conditions. The sugar trust openly
debating the tariff policy of the Senate.
the monOmetallists debating the coinage
policy of the President, the Southern
planter getting 80 per cent. of protection
on the rice that the Northern farmer has
to buy from him. and the congressional
representatives of the Southern planters
stripping every shred of protection from
the wool of the Northern farmer which
he has to sell to the Southern planter
that he may clOthe himself and his cheap
laborers with it; the South standing sol
idly Democratic, and the Populist repre-
sentatves and senator's voting steadily
with the Southern Democrats; 5O-cent
wheat and 7-cent wool. idle factories
abandoned farms and striking wOrkmen.
are the things that Mr. Clover sees around
him. He sees also that these things are
outCOmes of Democratic administration
of national affairs He sees also that
the plain farmers of the West who weak
en- the Republican party by voting for
Populists who either are incapable or I'M
willing to reform matters are though per-
hapS unwittingly, contributory factors to
the present depression of trade, commerce
and agriculture. He calls on them to
accompany HIM on return pilgrimage
to Republicanism, protection and prosper
ity.;
The Populist party had its origin in
belief that the Republican party had
grown inert that it was living on a
glorious record, that it had become his
toricaI merely, that it was not in close
touch with the people; that the new and
pressing questions Of regulation of cor
poratlons, OF suppression of trusts. of
maintenance CT the right Of silver TO
recognition as coinage. of restriction of
immigration, and Of regulation Of inter-
state commerce should be intrusted to
other hands. The dead failure Of a
Democratic Congress and President to
accomplish any beneficial legislation. the
fetrograde movements of agriculture
mining and manufactures under n period
OF Democratic rule, have had their effect.
Nor has the movement of young blood
IN the Republican party been without
effect upon the observing farmers They
nave learned that the grand old party is
q new party as well rs an old one NJ
ways responsive to the demands of the
houf' always progressive, a party with
noble traditions. but 4 party also with no
BILE purposes. Mr.. Cloyers letter is time
~, and is likely to meet with satisfactory
response.